Traveling Without Boyfriend

My boyfriend and I have been together for two and half years now and we've lived together for a year and a half. I'm 24 and he's 25. We're very serious about our relationship and I know I want to be with him for a very very long time (I don't really believe in marriage but I want kids with him). I want to nanny for a family in the summer for about 3 months. Obviously this isn't very long but to my boyfriend it will be without me at home. He's sad about this situation and nothing is finalized so should I wait for him? He feels like he's being left behind, which I completely understand, but he's always told me I should do something of the sort because I have the time. He has two more years at his job and can't take off the same amount of time as I can. My current nannying job will be over in the summer and that's why I think it would be good for me to nanny in a different country for a great experience. I had a cat before meeting him and he loves her so I would hope she would be good company to him while I'm away and even though that sounds silly I think it would be better than me taking her with me. He also has plenty of friends here at home and I trust him completely as does he with me but there seems to be some hesitation on his side to letting me do this. He and I have been apart for three weeks at the longest because I had to travel for one of my nannying jobs and as much as it sucked to be away from each other, it worked out fine and the time went by quickly for both of us. Again all I'm wondering is: am I being too selfish and should I just wait for him to be done with his job to travel together? Reply to this

Jo has provided some great forums addressing your concerns. No, you are not being selfish wanting to continue to expand your horizons. Besides, absence makes the heart grow fonder...sorry about the trite cliche, but it's true nevertheless. Reply to this

Hi Kelley, It is always harder for the person staying behind and saying goodbye to someone when that person leaves. After all, they are not the one going on the adventure. However, if you are certain you want to follow your dream or expand your horizons, go for it! If you have trust in each other, you will work through it and the three months will pass very quickly. It is very easy to communicate and stay in touch, it is just the initial parting that you and he have to work through.
Good luck! Reply to this

Even in the best relationship there are always going to be things one partner wants to do that the other just goes along with to keep things in harmony. So this sound like an opportunity to do the things you would like to do that he doesn't, and him to do that you don't like.
For example I like taking long walks through beautiful scenery and just fix up something to eat in my room or hostel kitchen, while most of the partners I have had just seem to want to shop and eat out.
So see this as an opportunity to do what you want to do that he doesn't.
Also with Skype you can actually see and talk to each other over the Internet each day for free if you wish as long as you have a good internet connection.
And in any case in the current business environment most couples and marriage partners are frequently separated because of job requirements, it’s just a part of modern life.
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