3 Months

The past 12 days with my guy have been amazing and beautiful.  Not every moment, by far, but overall, it’s been really, truly good. We went on a whopping total of two dates in 12 days. 

The first being a cab ride, breakfast at the airport, and a flight to Chennai. (So romantic, I know.) And the second date involved a whopping $9 meal at a restaurant of his regional ethnicity.  It turns out, I approve of the spiciness factor of that ethnicity, so all is well in that boat. If you count attending church as a date, then I guess the number would go up to three, but I don’t think I count church as a date…

Basically, he’s perfect for me, and I’ve known that for awhile—but it’s nice to be able to spend some time in person as a couple to understand exactly how perfect we are together. 

He makes me laugh. A lot. And he lets me make fun of his Indian pronunciation of English words, which is a bonus.

He informs me that I am way more South Indian than I know—from my head bobbles to facial expressions to forgetting which Indian language I’m supposed to say “Brother” in.

He draws me closer to the Lord. He prays with me, and he prays for me. He encourages me to know the Lord more, reminds me that we are nothing if we do not seek Him. 

And he loves me. A lot. More than I deserve.  I can see it in his eyes, but he tells me, too.

And I love him. In the superbly cheesy, sappy way that will make everyone roll their eyes when they see us together. 

I boarded the train back to Ongole yesterday, and said goodbye to my guy for the next 103 days. Frankly, I’m not going to like being apart from him for the next three months, but God has blessed me with 21 children to fill my days.  And until I fly back to Delhi, then Frankfurt, Chicago, and finally my arrival at the Springfield airport, I am going to love these children with whatever God gives me.  

I got to  pick up Angel and Heidi from playschool on my way home from Ongole's train station.  Seeing Angel’s big eyes at my presence, getting her hugs, and watching her happily stare at the reflection of us in the side mirrors made my day.  (I would mention Heidi here, too, but she was apparently angry at me for leaving and didn't look at me for about three hours!) 

We have unpacked the gifts from America—they love their new clothes, toys, puzzles, and those sparkly pink shoes.  I am so glad to be their Marla Mummy, to be the person they come to in tears, to be the person who tries to teach them right from wrong. I am happy to have 209 knocks on my door on a daily basis. I missed the begging for movies, walks, games on the tablet, and ice cream. I'm home, for now, and it is good.

Only 103 days until I see you, babe.

Which means 98 days left as Marla Mummy.