I Miss Him

Together we are not one... that isn't how it works
Together we are whole... that is how it works
In Fall of 1990 we started getting to know each other
On December 3, 1990 we had our first "date"

Soon we were a couple, soon two households became one
Together we faced Montezuma after floating down a river all day
His next door neighbor brought in the sleeping bag
The bed, with two, was an instant trip to the porcelain God

Months turned into years, families met, trips taken
Work, stress, life, weight gain... still we pushed each other 
To be better than the last day, to dream, learn, grow
Then, a war separated us, we moved half way across the country

Animals were in two different countries and three different states
Phone calls were expensive and the time difference made it difficult
Redeploying, I came home... to one I had never lived in
He closed on it 3 days before I got back... and it was PERFECT!

Time passed, we had troubles as all relationships do
Two months apart was torture, so we moved back in together
Life was not the same without the intimacy
We became "just friends" and a lot of time passed

Depression was diagnosed and work life for both of us was rough
Through it all, we quarreled, laughed, blamed, and praised
We stopped allowing each other to hurt, instead, we supported
Sometimes it didn't work, but we tried, made adjustments, learned

Time passes and when he isn't home.. a meeting attended I miss him
I can't go to sleep until he is home safe
When he is gone on business, I can't sleep the first night
He learns that this happens and he starts calling to let me know he's fine

Now, we are not whole without each other, yet we can also be whole apart
When one travels, the other "holds down the fort" and we have quite a fort!
We have so much fun that others are drawn in even if they are strangers
Each has a life and together we are a life, a journey, discovering more each year

He has been gone a lot this year for business and a special award trip
I miss him most in the evenings when we would spend time together
Today he left again, his last conference for a while
He texted me: I miss you & Kitty Bud & Molly & Hobo already

Next week I am gone.. and he holds down the fort
I have my opportunity to shine, a speaker at a big conference
But it won't be spectacular because he won't be there to share
With him I am better than I am alone, he helps me be my best 

This is what love is: a meeting of equals, not the intense physical thing of youth
The yearning to share with another because you know they would appreciate it
The loss of companionship felt so much when one is gone
Believing that the world is a better place because you are best friends

I miss him and he hasn't been gone but 12 hours... 
I miss him though at times he vexes me
I miss him when we are at work or late from a meeting
I miss him.. and it is something I am glad I feel

Tomorrow I will still miss him, yet we will communicate and that will fill my being
The next day we will make plans for the few hours we will have until I leave
Saturday we will say goodbye for yet another week apart
I will miss him and have trouble sleeping and wish he was with me

We are getting older and we have friends that have lost a partner
I used to think it wouldn't matter, but these few months this year, without him
I realize that life would still go on, but much of my joy would leave with him
I would miss him