Before Hannah had left I did some research on this "waiting for a missionary" thing. Unfortunately I quickly found out that I don't know anyone who pulled it off. That was kind of a bummer, I mean my older sister came closest to anyone I knew by getting married about two weeks after her missionary got home "just to see." However, my sister and I don't exactly have the kind of relationship where we can talk about our feelings openly with each other, our age gap placed me right between the younger-brother-you-can-hangout-with and the cute-little-brother ranges, which made me just plain annoying. On top of that my sister and brother-in-law were pretty much fated to be together, I mean how do you get set up on blind dates with the same guy by two unrelated people?
Well, anyway, I wanted some insight into this experience I was about to have so I had an idea about what to expect. I figured the best way to find out how to succeed was to ask other people why they failed and avoid all those things. All the girls I asked seemed to say similar things, mostly I got, "I got to the point where I 'needed' someone." I've never been the kind of person to "need" someone, in the past I've averaged about nine months between a break up and the next first date. It's not that I dwell on the past relationship(except for the one with Liz, but I think the first time you're dumped is a unique experience.) or that I'm relieved to be 'free' again. I'd say it's more of a cross between wanting to avoid a rebound and taking the opportunity to grow and mature independent of another person.
Now it's only been three weeks, Hannah left the MTC for Vancouver today(Wow, it's already been three weeks?) and I'm already starting to feel what can only be described as The Yearning. I wouldn't say it's a 'need' it's more of a feeling intense want. I think what has made this separation so hard is that I know both parties would be together otherwise, unlike a normal break up. This feeling is strongest when I'm out around girls, especially while I'm at work since at my place of employment are many girls who are on the same career path Hannah was. On the other hand, I don't really yearn when I'm just at the house hanging out, maybe that's a good excuse for me to become a hermit for the next 17.25 months.
Unless I can think of anything better and more exciting(which will be tough! haha) I might give a little insight into me next time, it may help since I know I'll probably refer to past events a lot over the remaining months, kind of like a glossary.
8 comments:
are you planning on dating while she is serving her mission?
my brother in law waited for his wife while she served a mission over in Europe. They dated about 1 1/2 years before she left.
Yes, I will date. That's coming up actually.
However, I did guarantee Hannah three dates when she gets home...
I saw your post on MBP and just had to see if you were actually waiting for a sister missionary. I do hope that everything works out for the best. There aren't enough guys like you out in the world.
I appreciate that!
But don't sing my praises just yet, I've still got a little over 16 months left. The quest is just beginning!
I've been waiting for my missionary for a bit over a year now and have about a year left. I haven't dated anyone else during his mission but maybe that's just me. In the beginning there's the yearning but then you get used to it. You just got to have faith that it'll work out, talk a lot in letters and remember what you have with each other.
just in case you need some encouragement or people who know how you feel you can always join the facebook groups "Waiting for a Missionary" and "I'm Waiting for a missionary" theres a lot of great girls on there and allllll sorts of kinds of relationships and ways of waiting. there's a whole group of us. I'm waiting for my missionary but obv i'm a girl ha ha. i think there's two other boys on the group so if you ever need soemthing just join we're all friendly and wont laugh at you. promise :)
I love hearing of guys waiting on the sisters - it's usually the other way around! I already like this blog. Can't wait to keep reading. And totally agree with the two posts above me - join the groups! They make it easier. :)
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