day eleven

I just woke up startled from a dream. I can't remember what startled me but I can remember what I was dreaming about earlier in the night. I was dreaming of him. You know, the kind of dream where it feels so real that you're disconnected from reality for a moment. That's the kind of dream I had.
When I woke up, I preferred the dream. Reality's bed is too big.

day three

I just had my first online iChat with Julien a few minutes ago. It was 12pm here and 9pm over there. It seems bizarre that he's getting ready to sleep and my day is only half over. It really seems to heighten the differences in lives we're having right now. It was so good to see him and talk to him. I was worried it would be awkward, or even painful, to talk over the computer without being able to physically be together ... but surprisingly it was really nice.
I'm hoping this separation will add an extra depth to our relationship that we haven't had before ... it almost feels like we're just starting to date and we're flirting via email and online chatting. Neither of us wanted to be the first to hang up/disconnect/say goodbye. I ended up being the first because I knew he wouldn't ... plus he had some pasta waiting for him and I didn't want it to get cold.
I miss him already. Sigh ... only five months and 29 days to go.

love in miles,
Beth

day one

5,679.89 miles.
That's the official recorded distance ... and it feels like the entire world.
For those of you who are unaware (which I believe may be all of you at this point), this is the first officially recorded day of long-distance separation between me and my boyfriend, Julien Whaley. Julien left on a plane for Paris, France yesterday morning at 7:30am. As of now he has started a six-month (minimum) internship working on a movie with his brother, a well known film editor in France.
Julien and I have been together for two-and-a-half years now, we've lived together for two of this amazing years, so we decided to stay together while he works on this film and I start my first semester at San Diego State University. We both know it isn't going to be easy, but our love for each other was too strong to give up on our relationship.
I have started this blog, to be written in conjuncture with my wine blog, wino rhino, so that I may record my experiences while going through this long distance relationship. I plan on being entirely honest on this blog; no matter how painful, heart wrenching, or unbearably cheesy it all ends up sounding.
But no, I won't be posting any of our actual letters to each other. Some things still have to be kept private.
If you have any stories about your experiences in a long distance relationship, or any advice you would like to disperse, please share. This is a new way of life for me, one that will last me awhile ... I would love nothing more than to know that I am truly not alone.

love in miles,
Beth