How Long?

I mentioned something about this last time, but I thought I'd expound upon it a little more.  Tiger Lily is moving to Illinois to attend graduate school at the University of Illinois at Urbana.  She will not only be doing two years of graduate studies, but then plans on staying to complete her doctorate, which is another four years.

So at the very least, she'll be in Illinois for 6 years.

I was texting with my brother the other day and he asked if I was okay and if we were going to stay together.  I said yes to both but I got to wondering what it would be like to be away from someone for twice as long as you've known them.

Now, it's not like she's moving to China.  Illinois is just a couple hundred dollar flight away.  I can save up for a couple months at a time, visit, repeat.  Thanks to certain technologies, we'll be able to communicate with each other virtually face to face.  She'll be able to come back and visit as well I'm sure.  In fact, we have plans to go to Colorado for Christmas (or around that time.)

I know the question is going to be, "But that's a long time.  Aren't you worried you'll meet someone?"  To which I say, "What's to stop me from meeting someone now?"  I'm not actively looking for another relationship, I'm happy with the one we have.  I have no reason to stray.  Now, being apart this long with be difficult, but I'm not that type of person that has to be in a relationship.  TL and I are very happy and I think what we have will be able to stand the test of a few years.

Plus, in all honesty, I knew this was coming.  If it wasn't Urbana, it would have been Louisiana.  She likes Austin, but I know she doesn't consider it her home.  I know she'd like to move back with her family or live wherever she finds a good career.  I understand that and have been doing my best to encourage her to follow her desire to learn and better herself.  I have plans for myself but they are long term and are flexible.  They also hinge on my kids being on their own or old enough that they can choose if they want to move with one parent or the other.

So, in a nutshell, it's all good.  I'll have plenty to do with drawing and Lego and games and friends.  She'll be full time writing and researching and teaching.  I'll miss her terribly, but I know it's not forever.

Carry on.