Airports

We met an airport when I was twenty-three.

I ran up and hugged you, you were everything to me.

We'd already said I love you, we left hand in hand.

You kissed me that night, things went even better than we'd planned.

Another airport, another day.

You kissed me when no one was looking, I'd come such a long way.

Florida's palm trees and beaches, sunsets in the sand,

we built castles and talked about forever while you held my hand.

I was in bed, you'd missed your flight,

I didn't get much sleep at all that night.

We got lucky, you made it back out,

although your luggage was lost en route.

Christmas lights, quiet moments, I was as happy as could be,

especially when on one knee; you asked to marry me.

Three more days until we wed.

I paced the airport, checking my phone and smiling at all the sweet things you've said.

I saw you first, I usually do,

the uniform makes it so easy to spot you.

A ring on my finger, a dress all in white,

we were meant to be together forever, we just knew it was right.

We walked the airport late at night,

this time together, we waited for our flight.

Mr and Mrs, husband and wife.

We had just been married for eternity, not only for life.

Excited to be one, to make our new home,

hearts knit together, never to roam.

Grandma passed away; again I flew,

this time it was away from you.

It was less than one week we were apart,

since our marriage's very first start.

I wished you had been there to hold my hand,

but things don't always go the way we've planned.

The orders came. I always knew.

You are a soldier, it's what you have to do.

I tried not to think of all that could be,

of how I would feel if you were ripped away from me.

I didn't take you to the airport that day,

it was just too hard, I wanted so badly for you to stay.

We were pregnant; a son was on the way.

He was due to be born near the end of May.

Complications arose, even with you so far

we just prayed that God would be with us both wherever we are.

In those times our faith got us through,

to keep pressing forward was all we could do.

I watched, looking through the doors

searching until my eyes found yours.

You made it just barely,

saying I was beautiful despite my baby belly.

You kissed me hello, I almost cried.

I was just so happy to have you by my side.

In the delivery room you saw the birth of our baby boy,

he was so perfect and for that we felt complete joy.

Ten days later, again you had to fly.

Back to that dreary hot place that's so awful and dry.

Our hearts broke as you walked out the door.

My husband I needed but couldn't have anymore.

You kept on calling, I took photos every day,

we are almost there you'd always say... but we were only half way.

Two months later we were given another chance

to see one another, I was so happy I could dance.

At first you weren't sure if you should come,

it was just so hard last time to leave your new son.

You changed your mind, again to the airport I drove.

Again to get the soldier I so love.

I can't wait to see you, to hold you again,

to know you will never leave me and always be my best friend.

No more airports or goodbyes,

no more tears and moist eyes.

Now its finally over, this long time apart.

We did our best just like we promised we would from the start.

From now our son will get to watch his Daddy and learn how to be

the wonderful man, father, husband, and soldier we all see.