July.

And so July is upon us.

This used to be my favorite month of the year. Summertime....my birthday is July 2nd...the 4th of July was my favorite holiday...Especially when David and I were together, we would take full advantage of the month. Going to festivals, Great America, the lake, hanging out in the backyard together, going out with friends, just having fun and enjoying life.

A year ago on this day (July 1, 2017) I printed out my passport renewal form and filled it out. David had been in ICE custody for almost 11 months. Transferred from Dodge County, Wisconsin, to Pine Prairie, Louisiana, to Alexandria, Louisiana. ICE was telling us nothing, but we had a feeling deportation was imminent. As my passport had expired in May, I knew I had to get that taken care of so that I could fly down to Mexico City to see him ASAP.

Needless to say, I wasn't looking forward to my birthday. On top of the fact that David just wasn't around, we also had a feeling he was about to be shipped back to his home country. I was going through some other personal issues with certain relationships that were weighing heavily on me as well. So all of that is coming back to me the same time this year.

David was finally deported on July 6, 2017. As heartbreaking as that was, to know that his case would not be resolved with him still in the country, it was also something of a relief just to FINALLY have an answer after 11 months of being jerked around by ICE and DHS. And you better believe I booked my plane tickets to Mexico City like two days later!

So, this time of year has become bittersweet for me. Last year, I had a lot of support from a lot of amazing people. Unfortunately the one person I desperately needed it from was ripped away from me and sent 2000 miles away. But on the plus side, a few weeks later I was able to fly down to finally be with him almost a whole year after we were separated. I could jump into his arms and kiss his lips FINALLY. And when I did, the tears came hard and fast. I couldn't believe we were finally together again. I couldn't believe I was back in his arms. I couldn't believe I could touch his face. Regardless of everything that we had been through and everything we still had to face in the future, the fact that I was back in his arms where I belonged just made everything right in the world.

And now I get to look forward to getting a sixth stamp on my passport in a little less than a week! I will be back with him once again. It can't come fast enough.