In the past when I heard that phrase I associated it with the lovey dovey kind of relationships, but now that’s not so much the case. I’m honestly blown away by how many people I have supporting me in an intimate way on this journey we call life. My family is awesome! I knew they were awesome before I left, but I’ve come to appreciate them even more.
Being here there have been a couple times I’ve gotten off the phone overcome by so much guilt and feeling exhausted because there’s never enough time to explain everything going on here. There’s to many people around to actually share what’s going on in my head and heart. It’s hard not being able to express what’s going on in my mind. And then there’s the frustration of horrible WiFi signals and it constantly cutting out. My wonderful momma reassured me, “Dest, it’s okay if we don’t know it all we are just so glad to hear your voice and see your blurry FaceTime face.” I don’t know how I got to be so blessed to have such a supportive parents. My dad embracing my big dreams encouraging me to chase them and my momma is the cheerleader who speaks so much life into me in down moments. Our means of communication is through random texts or Marco polos and FaceTime calls that are never long enough. They have been so strong for me and the peace that has came from them has been so contagious. It’s so comforting to know they trust the Lord completely with me. I can’t even express how blessed I feel by them. They allow me to dream big and chase after my dreams. No dream is too big.
My brother just got his first job. I’m so proud of him and the young man he’s becoming. Long distance relationship with him looks like making playlists on Apple Music to share with one another. It’s one of the ways we bond at home. When I hop in his car it’s usually Johnny Cash or some type of what I call old time country playing. It looks like FaceTiming him and he’s usually playing some sort of board game with my dad and cousins. It looks like a one word Marco Polo response which cracks me up because he could convey so much more to me than one word.
One of my closer friends told me before I left that distance proves who your true friends are. Y’all Jesus has blessed me with a ton of true friends. I really could cry about this one because Jesus answered my plea for community about a year ago in a big way. I have been CRAZY blessed by my girlfriends. I know without a shadow of doubt these girls will be there for me no matter the season the Lord has placed us in. I truly didn’t expect to be be blessed this much with this many close friends, but isn’t it just like the Lord to blow out our expectations? We bond over Jesus and there’s true depth to these friendships. We get to the heart and soul of things which I like. Haha contemplative me!
Long distance relationships really is a weird thing. It’s just miles between people. It doesn’t change how I feel towards anyone. It doesn’t change me wanting them to be apart of my life. It doesn’t change the love I feel towards anyone. All it does is make you pursue others harder. You have to get creative in showing those you care about that you’re thinking of them. I still share my life with them just not a life being in the flesh presence with them. Now it’s just the joy of the moments and hardships we converse about over the phone. It’s crazy cool because every relationship I’m keeping at home is centered around Jesus. It doesn’t matter how long we could go without talking. It truly doesn’t. I haven’t spoken to several people but once since being here and yet I’m so confident they love me just the same and consider me still close and apart of their life. Why? Because Jesus and at the end of the day our convos usually end up revolving around him and all he’s done or is doing in our lives.
My heart is warm and so truly thankful. Long distance has made me only appreciate my friends and family that much more. I love you guys if you’re reading this!! Know I’m sending the biggest hug. I can’t emphasize the giddiness and love I feel for my people. Thank you Jesus! I’m overwhelmed by the love and support I feel.
