See my smile?!

I'm glad...really glad...so very very glad...that R.L. is still here on island...really. Even though the man was supposed to leave this week. I'm thrilled...really. See my smile?!

You see, I'm perfectly comfortable saying this sarcastically because everyone, including R.L., knows that deep down I am truly thrilled for their family. Time home with the guys is always precious as it happens so sparingly. We need this time to live life as A FAMILY. I LOVE having Al home (K.L...does not. *wink*). So knowing that K.L. has a little much needed time with her husband brings me joy.

On the other hand, we wives (like our husbands) are used to living our lives...alone. Which means I am used to having K.L. to "myself" for lack of a better term. And visa versa. When the guys are gone we are free to do coffee, lunch, shopping, playdates, dinner and a movie at her house, dinner and a movie at my house, or dinner and a movie OUT. Whatever and whenever it may be...we are free to hang out...together

So as much as I dig K.L. having her man back, I still miss my friend. Before you ask...YES, we really are cut off from one another. It is our unspoken credo "Men walk in, Friends walk out." This is as much at the request of our husbands as ourselves. The only way to avoid this dilemma is when Al and R.L. have overlapping time at home (which rarely happens). So pretty much...yeah, cut off.

After a bit of time passes, we tend to find ourselves stealing away moments. For instance, after work yesterday R.L. took a short nap, at which point K.L. and I ran to the pet store together. This may not seem like much, but it gave us time to talk and time to laugh. I have to admit, both K.L. and I were somewhat bummed as it was a perfect evening for moving our laughter to Starbuck's. However, the phone call from R.L. reminded us that we didn't have the time. Oh well, you take what you can get.

Before you decide to send me a "hate comment" for being so terribly selfish, please note this: I am fully aware of my bellyaching. I am also fully aware that I am not the only one who suffers through "temporary friendship loss". G.M., H.M., J.J., I could name a multitude. Anyone associated with a "wife" will at one time or another feel the fullness of this loss. Heck, even the readers of this blog knew that loss for a time. It happens...I get that.

You also need to be aware that as much as I want to hang out with K.L. again, I will be the very one praying to God after R.L. leaves, that he return home quickly. I would rather live every day without K.L. than watch her live a moment without R.L. Well, maybe not EVERY day, but still...I'd rather him be home.

I am doing my bellyaching now, and K.L. will be doing hers early next year when Al is home and R.L. is not. This is the cycle of our lives. The reality of our friendship. For eight years we have helped one another through the ups, through the downs, and through everything in between. Trust me she knows what I am going though...because she's been here.

All I can say is that right now I am just glad R.L. is home...glad...really glad...so very very glad.