One Way

After days and weeks and months of putting it off, today we finally purchased me a one way ticket home.  Not many people ever buy a one way ticket in their life, and I feel like today I joined this little group of one way ticket holders for the second time in my life.

The reasons people in our little one way ticket holder posse purchase a one way ticket will vary - maybe for money and opportunity, love or adventure.  If we're lucky all of the above.  With the risk of stating the obvious, there is an overwhelming feeling that when you purchase this ticket, that your life is inevitably about to change.

I think that is why we put it off for so long.  As excited as I am to start veterinary school in August - part of me is so scared and when I looked at Nick in the office of the travel agent it was all I could do to keep from breaking down.  

In a couple weeks we will have our three year anniversary, and somewhere during these past three years its become harder to picture life without him.  I know I am leaving England to pursue a dream, an American dream even.  And we know the American dream is one of the best and most powerful dreams a person can have - and I believe in the American dream for me.  I believe that if I work hard enough I can be whatever I want to be, and you know what, it's happening.  I worked damn hard to get into vet school and now I am on the verge of beginning this next chapter...

 but I'm also leaving my husband.... for 5 months - during which time he is unable to come to America due to absolutely ridiculous government legalities involving his visa process.  And this is the real bullshit.  Because Americans should be able to fall in love with whoever they want.  And part of falling in love and being in love is getting to touch your partner, and feel their stubble and bury your face into that spot on their neck where they smell like cool water and sweat.

I believe it is my American right to be able to spend time with my husband - whether or not he is in the middle of applying for a visa. 

Anyways, today I bought my one way ticket.  And thus begins the process.  Time together now will be veiled in a countdown, how many days do we have left before we part and begin the arduous 5 months apart?  

A one way ticket will change your life.