The airport we flew out of India from doesn't allow visitors in the departures hall, so I hurriedly hugged my SO goodbye just before I bumbled through the door security. My sister looked sadder than me. "This is what I hate about long distance relationships, always separating." I think she fully expected me to break down, but I didn't. I maintained my composure all through the wait at the airport, and all through the long flights back to the US. I only broke down in my hotel layover in New York, but it was more from the stress of rushing through immigration so my sister could catch her connecting flight, plus being alone in a king-sized suite in a very grungy neighborhood.

I didn't get the idea of post-visit blues...life just went on. I didn't get it when I drove home after settling my SO into his American dorm.

I get it now.

We've met up maybe six times since August, and each time the parting hurts worse. This last time, even my strong SO had watery, red eyes, which I guess was for the best because it forced me to be strong for him.

While I still don't experience the days/weeks of depression that some people describe, I definitely can empathize a whole lot more than i could before. It's easy to say "it'll get better" when you haven't experienced it yourself. It doesn't get better--it absolutely stinks.

To all those posters whom I may have replied to callously...I'm sorry. It's not fun. Hopefully, one day it will be done! Until then, at least we'll keep Kleenex* in business!