A World Apart: Together Again After One Year on Opposite Sides of the World

It did not start out this way you know. Once upon a time, I lived in the same country as my boyfriend and life was good. But life changes, and sooner than I was ready it was time to think of getting a job. This was at the middle of the recession and jobs were scarce for new grads. Finding few prospects for a career, I went abroad and started to teach English leaving my boy friend behind.

The Break up

Although we had been best friends for five years before we dated, we did not think that our relationship could stand the test of a year spent on opposite sides of the world. I packed my bags and moved to Taiwan, leaving my boyfriend sadly watching me from the airport. On the airplane alone, I later let the tears loose. Surrounded by Chinese characters and bowls of rice, the world already seemed foreign to me and I realized just how alone I was.

The first few months were the hardest. We still talked online and by phone all the time (Let's not discuss the phone bill), but it was not quite the same. As time went on, we both adjusted to life a world apart, but we found that we just could not stand the separation.

This Valentine's Day

Fast forward in time. The time came for me to resign my contract and I realized, I did not want to. I realized that there was no point to all my travels and my fairytale life, if I had no one that I could share them with. I chose not to resign my teaching contract and I bought a ticket back-for Valentine's Day.

This Valentine's Day, I will return to America and the boyfriend I left one year ago. It was going to be a surprise, but I could not keep myself from telling him about my early arrival. I leave Taiwan at 2:30 pm on Valentine's Day and arrive in America at 11:30 am. This makes it a 39 hour day. It will be officially the longest and happiest day from my life. I cannot be quite certain, but judging from the random questions about rings and favorite metals, it may also be the happiest day of my life for other reasons. (Shh! Do not tell my boyfriend, I think he wants it to be a surprise when I arrive)

A year apart was torturous, but through it all we both learned something. We learned to be self reliable and we learned that our relationship can withstand the test of time. This Valentine's Day, I will see my boyfriend- and possibly fiancé- for the first time in a year.

Happy Valentine's Day.