Joce, how did you deal with Vincent being in Okinawa?
Honestly I just take it day by day.
When Vincent first got his orders, it was a hard pill to swallow. I couldn’t imagine not physically being able to see him for over an entire year but at the same time, we had been very fortunate to make as many trips as we did to see each other while he was stateside. I guess that was my own coping mechanism: I couldn’t change the situation and the fact he was leaving, but I could change my outlook on the situation. :)
It took us a good couple of weeks if not more to adjust to the time difference and getting settled. But now that I’m busy with schoolwork, finishing up to graduate, and wedding planning, I sure know how to keep busy! I also look forward to weekends now more than ever. It’s nice to have uninterrupted time with Vincent…unless he has duty.
I also avoided having a countdown. I don’t need a daily reminder that I am 365+ days away from seeing him again. Now that we have set a wedding date, I have a countdown lol. I know that once we reach the 1 year mark, it will feel like time is going faster until we see each other.
And I go to Shay for everything. I’m so blessed to have a best friend like Shay. Shay has already experienced her fiancé go through the Okinawa assignment AND currently go through another overseas assignment. She and Rich give me hope. Without her advice and comfort, I’d be pretty lost.