XOXO

I remember this time last year so vividly.

Mike had his mission call and I wanted  needed to spend every waking second with this cute face. 

We did, we spent every second together.

Walking around Main street.

Einsteins.

Countless movies.

and the ever popular,

Gossip Girl.

I was racing to finish Season 5 before I moved home and had to return it to Jenna, so that is all I wanted to do. So, Mike watched it with me.

And he LOVED it.

Seriously.

Then, I loved that of course, so we finished the 5th season.

Then he started over from the beginning and I got to start over with him.

We watched GG all day long, everyday.

Last week, Lizzie and I started it over again.

I immediately felt so nostalgic. 

And boy did it miss that boy.

It didn't help that I felt like last year, this time, was like a week ago.

That is how vividly I remember everything.

So this week, that's what I've been thinking about.

More like Who.

My favorite boy in the world.

Guys he is adorable. And I'm serious about that.

He is so cute when he gets worried. 

But boy is he a great missionary.

Washington is in for a treat to have us both there.

Again though, he is the absolute best.

I've never met a guy who is such a sincere sweetheart like he is. 

He honestly would do anything for me.

I am so humbled by that.

He is almost to his year mark and that fact has been haunting me so much lately.

Next week the countdown enters the 300's and the number just seems so small compared to the 700's where we started. 

It makes me worried about leaving when the days until he returns are so small. 

Boy has Satan been working hard on me to stay.

I do know I need to serve a mission but the sacrifice of not seeing my favorite boy for another almost 3 years sometimes really hurts my heart. 

But it is worth it. I know that.

I've been begging for one of his hugs this week but his sweet emails and letters remind me that even though I can't have one, I will have these forever.

These letters that mean so much to me, you will never know.

The emails that were our only conversation back and forth for 2 years.

The memories I get to reminisce on when he is gone and realize how special he is to me.

And the thought of our reunion.

The sweetness of that moment.

The hug I've been longing for that will sweep me off my feet.

The happy tears that I'm sure will be shed.

And the countless smiles that will join us.

I am so proud of this boy. For serving, and sticking with it. He works so hard and is such a good example. I wish everyone knew him as well as I do. I know you guys would feel the same. 

{Except... back off, he is still mine.}

I'm the luckiest girl in the world to see him grow up. 

And I don't just mean this last year.

I mean since he was 12.

I got to watch how certain things changed him, one way or another.

I got to see what is important to him and how much he truly cares for those around him.

Life is good, guys.

The blessings we have are countless, even the ones we don't necessarily see as blessings, 

They are and we should be grateful for those everyday. 

So today I am grateful for the bittersweet blessing of having such a special boy away on a mission.