Today is the longest I have ever gone without seeing my parents, to the day.
109 days.
I STILL HAVE 7 MONTHS UNTIL I WILL SEE THEM AGAIN.
That seems so far away, yet so close. The last 4 months have FLOWN by. I feel like I was just getting on a plane in below zero weather, and here I am literally sitting in a pool of my own sweat in Cambodia 109 days later. As I think back on this being the longest I have ever gone without seeing my family I am overwhelmed by how great they are.
I really do think I have the best parents in the world. That doesn’t mean they are perfect – in fact they made it a point to show us, and talk us through, the fact that parents aren’t perfect, marriage is not a fairytale, and everybody makes mistakes. I’m sure they went into parenting with a plan, but I know that they talked often and adjusted as needed.
I know that they lead us as a partnership, they hold each other accountable, and they encourage each other. They are honest, and straightforward with us, and they always support us. They are intentional with their time together, and their time with us. We were in Hawaii once and my parents were leaving us at the condo to go on a date and my Dad said, “I’m going to have dinner with my bride,” and smiled ear to ear with such love for her. That love shines through their marriage, and over flows to us. That’s how they love us so well. They spend time with us, they meet us where we are, they show us grace, love, and help us grow.
My Dad and I go to a place in Bozeman called Mongolian BBQ every Monday that I am in town. We call it Mongo Monday. He also meets me where I am, I love coffee and spend too much of my time in coffee shops. He’ll randomly text me, want to meet for coffee? By the end of the day we’ll meet for coffee and I’ll tell him stories of my life at school in Oregon, hopes and dreams for the future, or any conversation that flows across the table. My Mom is always available. When I was in school I would call her almost every day sometimes just to say hi, sometimes for a specific question, sometimes 5 times a day. She would also visit a lot. My college had 11 week terms and we would almost always meet up somewhere between the terms; she would come out to Oregon, I would go to Montana, or we would meet in the middle(ish) and go to Mexico.
They supported me always, but a little extra when I needed it. A very close friend passed away my freshman year of college and my Mom had me on a flight home the next day! My parents have always supported my endeavors, even if it’s some crazy adventure that contradicts social norms (world race). They aren’t afraid to let my brother and I know their opinions, but they always let us make the final decision.
So, as I reflect on the way my parents raised us, who they are as individual, and who they are as a couple, I love them all the more. I do miss them, and while it would be fun to see them mid race, I think 11 months apart will make me love them all the more. Thankfully modern technology allows us to stay in contact, and I’ll probably miss them extra during camping season, but I think this year will fly by and I look forward to the sweet embrace waiting for me in America.
Mom and Dad, I love you, I miss you, but I sure do appreciate all you do!
