Back to Korea

Tom left.

No, not because of our furniture shopping experience. Not because I wouldn’t let him get the leather headboard or the couches with cup holders in them.

He had to go back to Korea.

He left on the 20th and yes, it sucked.

I had just gotten used to him again. Actually, when he came back, it was as if he never left. The only thing I had to get used to was sharing my bed because I like to spread out. There were times where I’d stick my feet out in habit and Tom would be like, “There’s a person here now!”

I wish he didn’t have to go back. But alas, the Air Force insisted. He comes home in August for good. But then we found out that at this base he’ll deploy a lot. The good news is, he’s untouchable for 6 months so at least I’ll know he’ll be around for Christmas.

And then…well, then he could possibly go to Iraq. They deploy there a lot, unless all the troops are suddenly pulled out. I really don’t see that happening though.

But I won’t think about that now.

We had to wake up at 430 in the morning so we could leave for the airport at 5. Waking up butt early is difficult for me. The alarm went off and my first instinct was to throw it against the wall. Hard. Then my brain computed why I was up so early: Tom. Leaving. Again.

“I’m going to miss you,” I said groggily as I snuggled up to Tom.

He tilted his head town for a kiss. Ew, morning breath. Maybe I’m overly sensitive to smells because Tom never minds morning breath. He’s forever trying to get me to make out with him in the morning and I’m like, “Tom, really, I’m trying not to gag here.”

Still, since he was leaving, I allowed him to kiss me and just held my breath.

Then we got ready and got the kids out of bed. Natalie was like, “But it’s still night time.” I reminded her that Tom was leaving and mumbled, “Oh man.”

When we lived in Wyoming, we had to drive an hour and a half to the Denver airport. In Oklahoma, the airport is only a half hour away. Twenty minutes, if Tom is driving. It seemed like we were at the airport too soon and then suddenly we were at the curb and had to say goodbye to Tom. (We didn’t park since he was going to just check in and wait at the gate. He doesn’t like to wait around airports.)

“Goodbye, my Daddy,” Natalie said, waving.

Tommy was more formal. “Bye, Dad.”

I was like, “Don’t leave me! Please!” and gripped onto his leg.

I’m kidding.

I told him I’d miss him and that I loved him and to have a safe flight.

“If you get bored on your flight back to Korea, play Lost,” I suggested.

Tom wrinkled his nose. “No, thanks.”

“I’ll see you in August then,” I sighed. A gust of wind blew and a strand of hair went into my mouth. It’s really windy in Oklahoma just as it was in Wyoming. Apparently we can’t escape from the wind.

We hugged and kissed and I started to walk away but then he pulled me back to his chest. I breathed in his familiar scent: Old Spice mixed with a woodsy smell and blinked the tears back.

“Bye,” I said, pulling away.

“Bye,” Tom replied, hoisting his backpack up.

And then he was gone. Again.

Luckily my Mom had come out the day before to help with the moving in. Otherwise I’d have lost my mind. She also drove us back to the house. Another good thing, as I don’t like driving around unfamiliar roads. Especially in the dark.

The first half of our stuff arrived the 17th so Mom and I could finish unpacking that.

The other half of our stuff....well, who knew when that would arrive. We kept getting the run around from the moving company.

We pulled away from the airport and the last glimpse of Tom I got was him checking into the Frontier counter.

“I’ll see him in August,” I reminded myself, to stop the pain in my heart.

And luckily I’d be distracted from the annoying task of unpacking....