The Boyfriend Visit

Head: She’s making us all look ridiculous, running around like a little schoolgirl telling everyone “my boyfriend is coming for a visit this week!”

Heart: Speak for yourself. I think it’s wonderful to see her so excited. C’mon, it’s been 6 months since they last saw each other and I’ve jammed her pack full of emotions…I’ve been looking forward to this day since we left Brooklyn. After all, I’m the only one here that never gets any rest.

Head: Not so fast! What were you saying a few months ago?? Um, allow me to remind you: “This is never gonna work! They’ll be too far apart for too long. I can’t take it…”

Heart: I had only a mild attack of the “what if’s” just after Christmas…no thanks to you and your “we have to think about the future.”

Head: Here we go again!? Are we suppose to *NOT* think about the future? Excuse me, but from what I’ve seen, in this line of work you can end up two ways: lonely and drunk or just lonely.

Heart: Oh no…which one am I talking to now? Is this “I should run home and get married Head?” or “We should break up, I’m never getting married anyway Head?”

Body: HEY! Don’t you two start now…we’ve had a peaceful couple of months and I’m not gonna let you two ruin it before He arrives! I’ve gotten absolutely zero attention for months and now it’s my turn to be in control. When he gets here, I don’t want any *thinking* or any *feeling.* It’ll be all about ME and *enjoying.*

Heart: Congratulations Body on surviving six sexless months. You’ve obviously matured. Isn’t it so much better to follow our (my) true desires than give in to our (your) occasional whims?

Body: It’s only because Head hasn’t figured out a way to have these things co-exist in one healthy relationship.

Head: Well, it’s not for lack of trying. She’s filled me up on all those historical and scientific reasons why traditional relationships are an unhealthy product of our “narrow-minded society.” Yet, here we are, in a monogamous relationship even though they’re 100,000 miles apart. Who knows even when they’ll be living in the same city again.

Body: What?! What do you mean? I thought this gig was up in October? Can we just make sure the next job isn’t as remote as Aceh? I’m in my prime baby! This every-six-months crap is a waste of Me. Either he comes and visits more often or we start sampling the local flavor.

Head: Sorry Body, but I think you’re actually past your prime. And speaking of, what’s with those pathetic 8 push-ups a day you started last week? Are we “toning” suddenly? ;)

Body: Bite me. I have to take advantage of this visit to get her to start doing some basic grooming again. Ah hello - have you seen our eyebrows?

Heart: He’s not coming all this way to look at our eyebrows. He’s coming because of the strong connection they have despite the distance. I bet the first few days they’re together there won’t even be a need for words.

Head: Well, here’s a word for ya, it’s called “awkward.” Where do you even begin to catch-up after being apart for so long? Here’s another word for ya, “nervous.” Let me tell ya something, this visit may have more significance that just a visit. It will be the first determinant of whether these two have what it takes to keep this relationship going or not.

Heart: First of all, don’t make this into something more than what it is. It’s just a visit. (c’mon, she’s already got enough to worry about!) And besides, we’ve met plenty of people that somehow manage to make these kinds of relationships work. True, it’s not for everyone. But Erica & Boyfriend have found in each other the faith and support to pursue their dreams, even if it means they’ll be apart some of the time. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is.

Body: Yeah, yeah…dreams, shreams, blah blah blah. As far as I'm concerned, this discussion between you two will never end. You both over-complicate things. Girlfriends, here's how it works, all that matters is how She feels waking up next to him in the morning. Peaceful? At home? Good. Anxiety? Restless? Bad. It's that simple.

Head: Well, it's never that "simple," but I can live with that kind of reasoning.

Heart: I think we all actually agree on something here. This is a good sign. :)

---

---