Mission Accomplished :)

So my week this week was definitely not like anything I ever been through before.  I have mentioned previously that my boyfriend had left for boot camp 13 weeks ago; well this week is it.  The week I have waited for the past 3 months.  My Sunday was like usual and it consisted of church at home and spending time with the family before driving back to Joplin.  Monday I went to classes like usual and that night I packed.  Tuesday morning I woke up at 6:30am and my boyfriend’s parents came and picked me up.  We went to pick up his brother from work and we started the 1600 mile trip to San Diego.  We traveled all day Tuesday.  Like Joplin time, we started at 7:45am and drove until 12:30am but in time zone time, it was only 10:30pm.  That night we stopped in Holbrook, Arizona.  I swear all I saw over half the day were cacti and dirt along with a few mountains.  And then Wednesday morning after we leave I figure out that Holbrook is home to state penitentiary.  Definitely glad I found that out the next morning.  So Wednesday we got up early and continued driving.  We traveled almost 600 miles on Wednesday and by the afternoon we had finally arrived in San Diego, California.  I had never been to California before yesterday and let me just say it is completely different than little old Joplin, Missouri.  Then last night Chris’s brother and I spent the entire evening working on our t-shirts. 

So finally we get to today (Thursday.)  I know most people aren’t extremely clued in on what happens today in the life of a new Marine so let me explain.  Today is called “Family Day” here at the MCRD.  Chris was part of the Kilo Company and they were all to be graduating tomorrow.  Family Day consists of a 5 mile run then getting to spend the rest of the afternoon with our newest Marines.  So we get up at like 7 am here and get ready.  We then go listen to the drill instructors do some more talking.  Then we can see the guys run their 5 miles, which they follow with a shower and changing into their Charlie’s.   After this we get to see our guys for the first time in 3 months.  I told Chris I wasn’t going to be able to come for graduation tomorrow (which is also his 22^nd birthday) because I just had so much homework and work to get finished.  So as we are sitting in the bleachers waiting for the guys I see a smirk on Chris’s face: I think he just saw me.  They are freed from formation and he comes straight to me and gives me the biggest hug I’ve ever had.  Then all afternoon we are walking around post and every guy that Chris introduced me to responded with “Oh, so she did get to come after all.”  It was so great to be able to really surprise him for an event as big as this.  Tomorrow the newest Marines will graduate then they have their orders.  Chris’s orders require him to leave Tuesday morning for training from anywhere to 4-10 weeks. 

While it totally stinks having to give him back after just 10 days, but the look on his face today when he saw me was absolutely priceless.  I’ve missed this kid like crazy but being in his arms today made the rough past 3 months completely worth it.