When my husband accepted a new job last year that involves frequent travel, there was one thing that didn't occur to us to take into consideration: holidays and special events.
As luck would have it, he is normally out of town when there is a federal holiday (all of which his company observes) and I miss out on having him home on those 'extra' days. Like Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Martin Luther King Junior day...not to mention the fact that he is often away during our own special days, like our anniversary last year and my daughter's birthday. Don't feel too bad for me though, he always gives me a lovely anniversary gifts!
This is weighing heavily on my mind because I realized yesterday that he won't be home for Valentine's Day.
While we aren't really the go-all-out-for-Valentine's Day type of people, we do exchange cards, he buys me chocolates and flowers and I make a fancy dinner to celebrate. I am going to miss that this year!
If it weren't for the Internet, these absences would be even more difficult to bare. My husband has been really good about making up for not being here during special occasions by sending gifts via online floral companies, like the beautiful birthday gift he sent my daughter while he was away. He sent her a huge teddy bear, a balloon, a birthday cake bouquet and a box of chocolates. She was ecstatic when she got home from school and saw it!
My husband is a real sweetheart and makes sure that we know how much he loves us even when he can't be here during special occasions - like my sister's wedding in March. You better bet that he is already planning his gifts for her since he is not only missing the bridal shower, but the wedding as well!
We also use the Internet for keeping in touch while he is gone - we both have iPhones and use Facetime whenever his internet connection is strong enough to support the call. Because he travels internationally, we can't call each other on the normal phone, so hearing his voice and seeing his face through Facetime makes the distance a little more tolerable.
Do you have a loved one that travels frequently? How do you manage to stay close despite the distance?
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