Another "See you later"... And he was off to MCT.

If there was a ever a time I wanted time to stop, it would be these moments right here. And if you ever asked me when I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Ian, it would be these moments right here.

Time would not cut me a break and we couldn't have put off leaving any longer. On the way to the bus stop, Ian sat in the back with me while his dad drove. He held on to me the whole way down there. All I remember is "Then" by Brad Paisley playing on the radio and just holding him trying not to cry. It's funny. I always try to be so strong when we say goodbye. I try to hard to the point where it becomes uncontrollable and I lose it. I get so mad at myself for crying every time because I want to be strong for him. I know when I cry it makes it harder on him. But, it hurts- and I can't help it.

Well, once we got to the bus station. We waited inside for a while while everyone got their bags checked in. He kept me by his side. I could not believe he was leaving. I had no idea when I was going to see him again. I think that is what made this goodbye one of the hardest goodbyes yet. I remember when he had to get on the bus we walked outside and he hugged his dad. Then him and I hugged, and I was sure God would let time stop for a little while. But, I knew that it wasn't possible.

Once we kissed, and said our "I love you's" I watched the love of my life get on a bus, not knowing when I would see him again.

The guys at the bus station made us wait inside as the busses finished getting loaded, and I cried and cried. I had my hand on the window as I watched the bus pull away. Ian's dad just held me as I cried and as usual gave me the comforting words I needed to hear.

I knew that MCT was just another obstacle for our relationship, but I had faith in us. I always have.

Ten Day Leave!

Or I could title this "ten of the best days of my life". I don't think we went a day without seeing each other. I won't bore you with the details of the entire ten days, I'll just ramble haha!

We got home from South Carolina late on a Saturday night. He ended up just coming home with me and staying the night at my house. We were up late because he had to iron his dress blues for church in the morning. I didn't even care that I was drop dead tired, I just wanted to be around him. Before church the next morning, I re wrote on the back on my car, "MY MARINE IS HOME, OOHRAH!"

At church the next morning, everyone was so ecstatic to see him. He even gave a small speech in front of everyone, and of course it made me cry espeically when he mentioned me and all my letters. After church, we were driving and we heard all this honking, and when we turned our heads, there was an elderly couple in the car next to us just waving and smiling at us. We didn't even know them.

One thing I noticed on his ten day leave was the absolute kindess of strangers, everywhere. We were at Blockbuster one night, and he was stopped in the middle of the movie store by a man who just wanted to speak to him about his journey so far. Of course, he asked if I was the girlfriend, and he told him he better keep me around and put a ring on my finger. lol! We get that a lot everywhere we go.

A lot of his time home, we spent with our families. Some days I would go to his house, and times he would stay at mine. Nothing was better than snuggling up and just being together.

Speaking of me staying at his house, when we first got home from SC his mom and dad said, "Erin can just sleep over here" Ian and myself kind of blew it off, cause I was never allowed to stay the night before. I think we just thought we imagined them saying that haha, so the first night I ever stayed over there was Thanksgiving night. We went shopping with his mom on Black Friday. It was so funny! We got to Toys R Us and the line was wraped around the building. All I remember after that was Ian swooping me up over his shoulders and running up and down the line screaming with me on his back. It was seriously so funny, and I was laughing so hard. We both drank red bull when we got home, so we were up late goofing around. But nothing is better than falling asleep and waking up next to him.

That's how our relationship has always been though. We are always so silly with each other. We are always joking, laughing, wrestling, and teasing each other. I wouldn't have it any other way. He's my best friend.

To sum it up, the ten days was perfect and I didn't want to imagine him leaving. It wasn't long enough and I didn't want to have to say goodbye again.

At last, I'm back!

It has been a week since he left. And saying goodbye is always hard. But nonetheless, one week down- and only 79 days until my birthday and I am on a plane to him. At least, if everything with his schedule goes as planned. I'd be so bummed if I couldn't go. But, I am going to end this post, and pick up where I left off after graduation. I have the day off work and we are snowed in so I'll spend my day writing. Not complaining :)

Well...

Sorry I haven't finished posting the rest of this story! Waaaaah, I have been so busy and haven't had time to sit and write. I will post the next few parts soon, I pinky promise.

Tonight, I pick up my love from the airport after five long months <3 <3 So excited!!

Graduation Day!

Once again, couldn't sleep that night. I was way too excited for the actual graduation ceremony and to finally be able to bring him home! We woke up early once again, and ended up getting there a little bit late actually- well not late enough to miss any of the ceremony, but late enough to not have anywhere to sit. We were okay with this because we actually sat right on the ground, right up front! :)

This ceremony was unlike anything I have every witnessed in my entire life. I had chills the entire time. I even cried (Surpised?...I think not!) haha My favorite part was the end where it was like a chain reaction of "OOHRAHS!" all the way down. It is so hard to explain, you'd have to see it with your own eyes. It was amazing. Then the entire crowd ran onto the parade deck to grab their Marines! I met a few of Ian's buddys and then we went back to the barracks to grab the rest of his things. Somehow, I ended up having to carry a bag bigger than me. Everyone we walked past thought it was funny, even the DI's were noticeably laughing at me. I didn't mind :)

As soon as we got into the car, he was instantly relieved and kept telling us to get him off this island. We were driving to go to the MCX and he was digging through his things, and pulled out his dogtag he wore around his neck all of boot and put it around my neck. He still to this day tells me that it means the most to him because it is what he wore all thirteen weeks of boot.

After we shopped at the MCX for a while, we went and grabbed lunch and at lunch I gave him the scrapbook I made him while he gone. It's my favorite present I have ever given him :)

Kacie's dad lives in Charleston, and so we decided that we would drive up and see him and stay an extra night in South Carolina, just because. Her dad has connections and got us two hotel rooms so we could stay an extra night!

The first time we kissed after boot was waiting outside the car for Kacie to get the room keys. I was standing on the curb to be level with him, and he picked me up and I wrapped my legs around him and he gave me the bigggest kiss ever :)

Once we got into the hotel, we all drank and hung out for a little while and listened to Ian's stories about boot camp. It was getting kind of late and we had a LONG two days, so Ian and I went to our own room....

....And I'm sure you can guess the rest ;) ;)

Or in the words of my ever so classy Marine, "Get some" ;)

Part Four- Family Day- Finally!

   Ah finally, after a long thirteen weeks it was time. These two days could easily be defined as two of the best days of my life. I left the Wednesday before family day. Ians best friend Kacie and her boyfriend were coming down for the occassion so the three of us were driving together. We had to stop at Ian's parents house to grab a few things, including our sign for the moto run! We left at around 8am, and made it to our hotel down in Beaufort, SC around 10. We hit a detour in Tennessee and it took us ages to get there. I can't even explain to you the excitement building up inside me. It was all still unreal to me. It hadn't really hit me that I would be seeing him the next day. Once we got settled in the hotel and ate it was time for us to get to bed. Obviously, I was tossing and turning all night because I couldn't sleep. I was way too anxious. My mind was going crazy. We got up at about 445am on Thursday November 19th. We had to be at the run early. On our way to Parris Island, we missed our turn and we were confused so we stopped and asked some people at the gas station. Of course, since I am the chatter box- Kacie nominated me to find someone to ask. I got out of the car, and of course I was rockin' my hoodie that said, "My boyfriend is a Marine". As soon as I stepped out of the car three men yelled to me and said, "You tell that boy Congratulations!" And I turned around to them and said, " I will, but do you know how we get to Parris Island from here? They looked at me and laughed and said, "Sweetie, Look at our hair cuts, We're Marines- of course we can get you to Parris Island" They were so funny, and they kept asking me questions about Ian and I was telling them how I wrote him every single day and I could hardly wait to see him. Then one of them said to me, "When you see him, I want you to tell him that I said to marry you." He was so sweet. I was glowing. I was proud. We finally made it to the Island and it was still pitch black outside. All you could see were the reflector belts on the recruits. It was surreal. We had the windows rolled down and you could hear all the cadences. It was powerful, and so hard to capture the moment in words.

^This is Kacie and myself with Ian's sign for the Moto Run. His dad hand drew the sign.

Ah, going off on a rant right here for a second. I promised I would explain the whole "Popeye" thing. Every since Ian was born his family called him Popeye. In a lot of his baby pictures one of his eyes were closed so that's why it kind of stuck. Then when I came along with my dark hair, I became Olive. So that has always stuck with me. It's one of the only nicknames I have ever had :) :) But that is the story behind that, and the reason why the sign has Popeye on it!

Everyone we passed was looking at our huge sign. It was the biggest sign there. We had reporters interviewing us about it. We had tons of people taking pictures with it, and of it! It was so funny. EVERYONE was staring, and we knew once Ian saw it, he would know it was for him.

Okay, okay - back to family day. I could hardly contain myself. Once the run started, we immediately spotted Ian. He ran past us, and as soon as he did he turned his head and SMILED so huge at us. The biggest smile ever. Kacie and I were jumping up and down, screaming our heads off because of it. I was in tears already. I couldn't believe all this was happening. Happiest girl alive. haha

So after the run, we waited until they would be released. During that time, I met up with all the ladies I met on the yuku site. We all instantly hugged each other and cried together. I felt like I had known them my entire life. They were family to me, and still are to this day.

This is most of my Yuku family, including Ian's family on the right. I love them all!

Alright, so Liberty ceremony can be defined as the most anxious moment of my life. I was sitting next to Ians family, and one of my best friend I met on the site. Her and I were holding hands, and as soon as the Marines came in, we were still holding hands and still crying. As soon as they were released, I kind of hesitated for a second and looked at his parents so the could go run to him first, but his dad looked at me and said, "Go get him girl!!" And I ran so fast to him. I was dodging people, chairs, random flying objects. Then there he was, and I latched on to him like a baby monkey and held him so tight. I felt whole again. I was absolutely complete and I didn't want to let him go. I misssed him so much.

So after all that commotion, we were able to spend a few hours with him there on the base. I wanted to badly to run away with him, to kidnap him right there and take him away with me. He showed us around the entire place. I got to see where he slept, where he kept his things, the post office box where he dropped all my letters in, just everything. I was in his world the past thirteen weeks. It was so much to take in.

When we were in the barracks he pulled out this huge thing of letters

 and I was like "Wow are those all the letters you got while you were here?!" (It was the hugest stack ever!) And he laughs and goes, "Oh no, these are JUST from you!" Haha I told you guys I was dedicated. I wrote every day, sometimes even twice a day!

Some more pictures for your enjoyment :) :)

I did not want the day to be over, but in a way I did so I could get him out of there after graduation the next time. But, I wanted more time with him. I wanted so bad to kiss him and kiss him and kiss him some more. But I knew he couldn't. I wanted so badly to just HOLD his hand. I wanted his fingers intertwined with mine. But again, I knew I had to wait. I waited this long already, ONE more day wouldn't kill me.

When I got back to the hotel room that night, I cried. I was once again, so happy that all my body knew to do was cry. I felt crazy for a minute or two that I was actually sobbing, but I was happy- so unbelievably happy.

(I am not sure why this format looks all choppy and for the life of me it won't seem to cooperate, sorry!)

Part Three continued,again- The Home Stretch!

I remember being up late Wednesday night because I knew the Crucible was starting for Charlie Company in just a few hours. It was overwhelming and exciting for me all at once. This was in all reality their final test, at the end of this, they would finally be able to call themselves Marines. The entire time The Crucible was going on, it was all I could think about. I worried about if he was cold, tired, drained- all things that were out of my control. Like I said before, I "blogged" on yuku, so that Saturday morning we were all in a chat room, counting down the last two hours of the Crucible. I remember when 8am rolled around (I am pretty sure that is around the time they finished up) that we were all probably jumping up and down in front of our computers. The pride I felt was unbelievable. He did it, I knew he could do it. I was so proud of him. I can not even explain how relieving it was to know that Sunday he would be calling, and that Wednesday I would be leaving to go pick him up. He made it, and I made it. We made it together.

That Sunday I woke up so early. I had a training class for work to go to, and they were well aware that I was expecting a phone call. I honestly didn't know if he would have time to call because from what I hear the lines are long. But, I didn't put it past him to wait in a line all day! I got to work and clocked in, and I was helping a customer and my phone lit up and it was a weird number. I knew instantly it was him. I ran outside and screamed into my phone. I could not believe it was him. He sounded different, in a good way. He didn't have long to talk. I wish I could remember our conversation in more detail, but it was so exciting and everything was in the moment, I am 100% sure that majority of it was "I love you's!"

I called my mom and told her about the entire call! She was so happy for me. I could not stop smiling. I was on cloud nine, and it all started to feel SO REAL. As soon as I got off the phone with my mom, I called Ian's mom. She had talked to Ian too, and once I told her how excited I was, I cried. I was so unbelievably overwhelmed with happiness that I actually cried. I have never been so happy that I cried before. I knew that this was just the beginning of my happy tears seeing as three days from Liberty Sunday I would be leaving to go pick him up!!

Woohoo, I have almost finished the Boot Camp part, just have to write about family day and graduation- and I have so many pictures to share! :) :)