As my husband tossed suitcases on the bed and selected shirts and ties for his six-day business trip, I lounged about the house like a little girl whose best friend was about to move away. I couldn’t believe how much I missed him and he was still there!
We had never spent more than a few days away from each other since the kids were born. Recently, since I’d become a work-from-home mom, I’d felt kind of suffocated by my whole life revolving around what happened between the four walls of our house. Still, having my husband go away from home truly reminded me that not only do I love him, but I still like this dude. A lot. Absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder.
Having him gone from the house for a week made me realize all the little ways he enriches my life.
I like chatting with him about the challenges of his work day, and I like hearing him laugh while he watches Bones.
I like the big smile I get when I make him a plate for dinner, and the hearty “That was delicious” I get when he’s finished.
While he was gone, it took me forever to fall asleep, but when he’s here I can be out like a light in 1 minute or less.
I work from home and while my husband was gone I got all my work done by 8:30, when I’m normally up until midnight. This proved to me that I do indeed spend a lot of time talking to my husband and paying attention to his needs!
When my daughter spiked a fever out of nowhere, I wished more than anything that he was there to help, even though when he’s here, I push him aside in my typical “Mommy knows best” fashion.
This article is so personal for me since my husband travels at least 1-2 weeks in the month. I’ve gotten used to it but it drives me crazy at times. Only recently have I begun to accept this but it’s something I struggle with in our marriage because while absence makes the heart grows fonder, I do miss being able to plan our schedules without worrying about his next meeting in California, Orlando or Detroit.
But I caught myself the other day. I have to remain thankful that my husband is always on the grind and works very hard to make a good living for us. It’s better than being jobless with no ambition. So while I do hate the travel schedule because it makes it hard to plan life events, I am thankful that he’s grinding for us.
When he is gone I just spend more time with my girlfriends so my life does balance itself out. When he’s back, my GFs know that it’s hubby time! LOL
The balance is a struggle but we make it work.
What advice do you have for couples who don’t miss their spouses and actually enjoy them being gone? Is that a bad sign?
I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a bad sign. Everyone needs space from time to time. As long as you’re happy to see them when they get back….
I agree with Tara. If you are anxiously awaiting the next business trip, I’d explore those feelings to make sure there isn’t something else brewing. If you know the hubby has a planned business trip and your going to use that time to rejuvenate, go for it. I think youa should always make your spouse feel well loved upon return, so don’t veg out so much that you forget he probably has missed you too.
Due to job constraints my hubby and I are separated by 6 hrs I live and work in one state and he in another, I miss him terribly and he also travels for his job and even though we live in separate households I still miss him like crazy especially when he is on travel. We have been married for 24 years and like the lady said in the article she still likes that “dude” and so do I.
I went on a few trips this year and I missed my hubby too! He’ll be leaving for a WEEK the day after Thanksgiving and I don’t know what I’m gonna do.
I sometimes travel for work never more than two or three days and like the writer I miss him before I am gone. People usually expect the man to travel, but the roles are a bit reversed. He works outside the home as well. He helps from cleaning and preparing dinners to sending me off with a good I Love You. Traveling could damage a a marriage as well. Like everything, it’s about balance and understanding what/who is valuable.
Oh my this is also my story! My husband travels 2-4 days a week most weeks in the month. We have been married for 9 years and we don’t have children yet. So when he leaves, I’m often wanting to call into work and tell them to call in a substitute so I can travel with him.
My husband is my best friend and I know for a fact that absence really does make the heart grow. This is why we work so hard now to become debt free. We know that once we become financially fit, we will be able to spend more time together and with our soon-to-be family.
Either way, I loved reading this blog… it really hit close to home.
Liz
Co-founder of Moneyandmatrimoney.com
This article is on point for me too! My hubby is a truck driver therefore he is gone usually five days out of the week and only home for the weekend. It was very hard in the beginning but not as hard after 8 years. I still miss him like crazy and I am so glad that we have free mobile to moble minutes…lol! We hardly ever argue because we try to savor every moment that we have together. Whatever disagreements we may have it is discussed and squashed as quickly as possible. After almost 15 years of marriage I still get butterflies when I see it’s him calling or when he walks into a room. I love me some him! 🙂