My boyfriend Matt is back from his long deployment! It only seems like yesterday when he came off the ship, in his white sailor uniform with his new pins, black, shiny shoes...
I went to bed at 2 am and woke up four hours later--I was at the 32nd street station around 10 after 7, and they had set up white canvas tops over several chairs and
there was breakfast available. They had four booths where we could
make signs, get flowers and flags, for the kids to make crafts and to
color pictures. They were even giving away board games at the
beginning. But I felt too shy, like I wasn't a "family" member waiting
for a spouse to come home. There were a few new babies, or young ones
waiting.
When I got there, after I got food, I sat down. The DJ was playing
Corinne Bailey Rae's song, "Like a Star" and I started to cry a little
bit. I was fine, until hearing that song, and remembering Matt and I
going to see her at Brick by Brick last July. Just feeling a tad
overwhelmed.
Matt had asked a friend Trinity and her son William to keep me company
while I was waiting for him to arrive. He's sweet like that--so
thoughtful. He made it sound like Trinity wanted to come (and she
did). William is four, almost five (July 13). Matt had met her on
myspace and they dated a few times but it didn't work out. And so they
are friends. I didn't talk much because I was tired.
Three ships came in that day, the USS Boxer, USS Dubuque, and USS
Comstock. Matt later told me that the other two ships had mechanical
difficulties on the trip, but theirs (Dubuque) ran well throughout the
deployment.
The Boxer came in around 8:45am and docked at a different pier. The
Dubuque came around 9:15am. It was so exciting to see it come in. I
didn't realize how small the ship was--it's a loading dock for smaller
boat vessels, and also I guess, submarines. So there is a "pier" end
of it, and the other end is like a third of a regular ship. It looks
like it would tilt in the area where the living quarters, galley, etc.
is. But amazingly, it stays afloat. Who knew?
On the pier end, there were a line of sailors and officers. Matt had
called me earlier that morning when I was at home. So he called me
again, when he was looking for me from the ship. He said he was to the
right of the flag they raised, and he lifted up his arm.
Trinity, William, and I were to the far left, so Matt moved over to
look for us, and we both began waving wildly. He does look thinner,
and he was handsome in his white sailor uniform with the blue scarf
thing (I don't know what to call it). He showed me his new pins that
he got on his left pocket. For Iraqi Freedom, good conduct, and
something else.
Matt was a little delayed because he was waiting for people to take
over for him. He had everything packed and ready to go. He was ready
to be off that boat!
Trinity spotted him first. He was trying to sneak around to surprise
us. He had a dozen red roses for me--I kissed his lips before I even
saw his face because he approached me quickly after he knew we saw him.
Then we took a couple pictures and headed out.
Trinity had a job interview at Barona Casino. She lives with her mom
right now, but Matt is trying to persuade her to be his housemate. She
did get a job with a hospital or a clinic. Matt's current housemate,
Josh, is also in the navy, and is transferring to ?Seattle or something
like that June 15th. So he's already moved out. Matt's landlord is
lending him a couch.
Over the weekend, I was busy. Friday I went to work, and I was going
to go up to L.A. to Bible study, but I couldn't leave Matt--it was too
soon. One of my good friends was throwing a surprise birthday party
for her hubby the next day--and I had to be up there for that. So, I
drove back and forth the same day! I know, it's crazy. But Matt's
friend Todd had a party Saturday night, "Hat-mandu"--where everyone
wore different hats. Matt bought me a stuffed animal rabbit one, and
he got a Dr. Seuss hat. Matt was so cute that night--we talked to a
couple, Bryant and Rose--and Matt was babbling up a storm. But they
were cool about it. And Matt's an entertaining storyteller when he has
had a few drinks.
He is still a little shy around strangers, but has a little more
courage around good friends. It was good seeing his friends again.
His friend Justin wants me to set him up with someone. He said to me
that he's glad we are together. Todd mouthed to me, "He is so drunk."
Matt had cut his finger May 30th in the kitchen on a opened can--and
had played volleyball and tore it open further June 2. Poor guy.
Getting careless with age. ;)
That Sunday and Monday, I went to Temecula and then to Pt. Loma (Humphrey's) to see the Indigo Girls. Both the opening acts (Thao Nguyen) at Pechanga and (Brandi Carlile) Humphrey's were terrific. I bought their cd's when normally I just listen and cheer.
P.S. I also had LASIK done a week ago. It was a little bit of a struggle for my left eye, but today it is much clearer. =)
*Welcome home, Matt! I missed you!*
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