A Wonderful Weekend...

My husband was home with his parents this weekend, just for one short night. Since his parents have internet access and a computer with a webcam, we set up a skype account and set up a "date night" for just the two of us on Saturday night...
I haven't seen my Jorge since April. Saturday came, and my excitement and sense of anticipation was growing by the minute. Mom and I took the kids to the city pool and spent 4 hours frying under the hot Ohio sun, and then we headed home. Five thirty- and our date at eleven... What to do for the remaining five and a half hours?! My computer is in my room, which I figured was a good thing, since we could have a little privacy for our first face-to-face in almost 3 months! So I set about cleaning, dusting, and straightening every inch of my room to get it camera ready.  That task accomplished, I fed the kids and got them baths, then tried to get them to bed. Do you think four kids on a Saturday night of a holiday weekend would cooperate? LOL Of course not! Mom offered to keep an eye on them if they were still awake when eleven o'clock rolled around- one more thing off the pre-date check list...
By eight o'clock I was thinking about what makeup to wear and how to do my hair. By nine thirty I was made up, dressed up, and keyed up! Ten o'clock rolled around and we talked a little by phone to make sure his skype was working well, and agreed again to talk at eleven via video... At ten thirty, a call came through on my skype- "can we just do this now? I don't want to wait anymore!" LOL My thoughts exactly!
Let me tell you- seeing his face on my computer screen was amazing!!! I hear his voice every day, and I long to touch him, but the joy it gave me just to see his face after all these months... Wow! I don't even have words to describe it (and those of you who know me well know that I am seldom, if EVER, speechless!) I spent the next few hours basking in the glow of my computer monitor, loving being in the presence of my husband- even if it WAS virtually!- and drinking in the sight of him... His face was like cool water for my thirsty soul! His eyes sparkled, he laughed, he flexed his amazingly sexy arms for me, we giggled and laughed and carried on like two teenage sweet hearts...
Being away from my husband is the hardest thing I have ever had to face. I need him like I need oxygen- he's so much a part of me that I cannot feel complete when we're apart. Days full of loneliness, nights spent in a cold empty bed- people don't ever imagine a marriage to be like this. None of us expected this when we met and fell in love with our spouse. None of us WANTED this- it's something that was forced on us. Separation is painful, but for any couple that has dealt with US immigration laws, it is something that is gone through at one point or another. I personally wouldn't wish this heartache on my worst enemy!
In the midst of all of the trials that our situation brings, it is amazing to have technology like skype so we can talk and see each other, even from 3000 miles  away. It is not anywhere near as great as actually being held in those strong arms, smelling his scent and feeling his warmth, but it IS better than a faceless conversation. So much better! If I could personally thank the creators of skype, I would do it in a heartbeat. I am sure thousands of families just like mine feel exactly the same...
Tonight when we talked- by phone as usual- Jorge told me what a great weekend he had with his family, and about the Bible study he taught when he got back to the center. He led a great service, and the Holy Spirit really moved... And then he said words that warmed me clear through: "It was a great weekend Mami, and you were such a huge part of that. You are a part of every little thing I do... I love you very much!"
Skype, you faceless giant of a company, you are a blessing to this little family! Thank you for the gift of my husband's face!!! :-)

NY Daily News article...

Here is a link to an article written about women who are in situations just like ours... It's about time that mainstream media covered the OTHER side of the story!!!

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2011/07/03/2011-07-03_americanborn_wives_married_to_us_deported_or_banned_spouses_band_together_via_on.html

I am pleased to announce...

that I have my ticket home!!! :-) I am flying home to GDL on July 26th. I am THRILLED! I haven't seen my husband in months!
I told Jorge that I am flying in on July 29th, but his parents and I have it planned out for them to pick my up when I fly in on Tuesday... And then, since they will be going to visit on Wednesday (like they do EVERY week) I will just show up with them... His mom said "You better bring some smelling salts to wake him back up, because when he sees you he is going to be so excited he will pass out!!!" LOL
Needless to say, I am very happy about it too...