I got back yesterday from a fabulous trip to Virginia. I'm up and down in feelings now I'm back so just feel the need to ramble to people who understand a little!

So many positives:
- lots of sex.......we had a year to make up and boy did we go for it. Including a particularly hot moment in the pool.

- had a chance to actually practice 'living together'. Shopping, cooking, cleaning, yard-work, DIY. I know it's only a snapshot but I love doing the normal stuff as it proves on a small-scale we can actually function together. After a disastrous marriage, I admit I'm scared of long-term living with someone else but if there's anyone I can actually make it work with, it's my SO! I do partly wish we had more opportunity to do so before potential marriage and living but with the nature of our LDR that's not going to happen.

- spent lots of time with his family. I even got taken out by them when he had to work late one evening. They are so different to me but genuinely lovely people who made me feel very much part of the family.

- Food - tried and fell in love with so many American traditions.....fresh blue crab (caught by his brother) and 'picked' straight from the shell, s'mores (OMG I'm in love.....those on my Facebook have already heard about my new obsession but I NEED to find Graham crackers here somewhere). I even made him and his family some British classics - Toad in the Hole, Steak pies and they loved them too.

- Touristy stuff. We did some of the touristy things: Jamestown (original colony), Smithfield (a very pretty Southern VA town), ate out a lot. This was fun but honestly I loved the days we just lounged around at home and at his brother's pool more.

- Planning. We had chance to actually concrete up some plans for closing the distance. We both have a list of things we need to do and will keep nagging each other till they're done!

Negatives:
- Now I actually think I like VA more than I do the UK. I felt so at home there and for the first time I could see myself living there. Sadly, that's not going to happen as I have my daughter here and I wouldn't move here away from her school, friends and family. However it has made us think about maybe moving back there when she's older.

- Coming home. I found it really tough, I always find it tough and I always think this time is the worse. I don't know, this does genuinely feel like the worse but it also feels now like it won't have to happen much longer.

I have photos which I'll have to add later....