My boyfriend lives two hours away from me. While I’m fortunate that this is all the distance that’s separating us, I still miss seeing him in person. I miss him even more now that the Corona virus is keeping us safely indoors. Thankfully, I had the chance to see him over Valentine’s Day, where we spent three bliss-filled days in each other’s presence. We went to a movie, visited several antique stores, and hung out around my house.
While I’m glad that he’s safe at home, I know that he would prefer to be working. He told me so himself last night. Due to the Corona virus, he’s unable to go back to work for quite some time. Since the governor of Minnesota ordered the issue to stay at home, with the exception of essential workers, Rory has been living indoors.
I’m not complaining that my boyfriend is having to stay indoors. I’m actually quite glad that he’s not out and about too much. (He lives close to Minneapolis.) Right now, we’re both fortunate to have our good health. This isn’t a luxury that everyone in America has right now. I’m also lucky to live in Minnesota, where we have a stay at home order.
Last night, I spent a good chunk of time watching videos with him and asking how he’s been feeling. I asked him questions, like how he was doing, and he told me that he is feeling depressed. I’m not going to lie: it’s a rough time for Rory right now. He needs to work in order to help boost his mood. Even with his medications, being cooped up in the house isn’t helping him. He told me that he didn’t like having nowhere to go; he wishes he could go back to work. Of course, I would be depressed too if I couldn’t go to work. If I wasn’t an essential worker, I would make the best of it, doing my best to keep myself occupied and stimulated. But, since I’m an essential worker, I’m lucky enough to go into work.
There are many people who can’t work right now, and I feel for people like Rory who can’t work at the moment. It’s not just a matter of having insurance to stay healthy. Not everyone has these opportunities in the United States, and I find it very backwards and wrong. Healthcare for all is a must; the right to good health-care should be a given in every country. As an essential worker, working at Target is a very good thing, because it ensures that my co-workers and I will have jobs to go to, and people to help and serve. Target is a place where people can buy necessary food and clothes. In the store, we’re all taking the necessary precautions to help keep everybody safe and healthy.
If I’m honest with myself, I do tend to worry about Rory when he gets really down. But, as his girlfriend who lives two hours away, there’s only so much I can do from afar. I gave him some advice on what he could do for his mood–like get up earlier, and take walks in the park close by his house. I, too, am doing my best to stay active. Just yesterday I went for a walk with my dad, sister, and our golden retrievers. Rory has been sleeping in really late, feeling like there’s no point in getting out of bed. While I know it’s bad, the only thing I can do for him is call him up and simply distract him from his depression. I have depression myself, and recognize the symptoms of just wanting to stay in bed all day. Depression is a strange, soul-sucking disease at times. Sometimes, it’s manageable, but you feel like you’re just not quite enjoying life like you should be. For me, once I’m really depressed, it can be some time before I can pull myself out of the sinking sand.
Through all of this recent development in his mood, I can only support him and let him know just how much I love him. He’s simply the love of my life. I’ve never met anyone with whom I’ve clicked so well with for so long. As his girlfriend, I want to cheer him up whenever he’s down, just like he does for me on the off-chance that I’m not feeling the greatest. Watching silly YouTube videos helped us take our minds off of what’s going on in the world, which helps.
I know that lots of people are struggling right now. Lots of people can’t work, or are ill. I’m very thankful that my friends and family have their good health, and that we’re staying safe together. I’m glad that Rory has the support and love of his family, especially when he’s not feeling good. We’re fortunate to live with our wonderful families, who support and love us no matter what happens.
If I won an prestigious award, I already know what I’d say, and who I would thank. I’d thank my family and my sister for being there for me, for guiding and believing in my abilities. I’d thank my friends for their support, kindness, and friendship. I’d also thank Rory, who is my best friend and the love of my life. He pulls me out of the sinking sand when I stumble into it, and I pull him from his own sticky quagmire when he’s fallen in. We lean on each other when we’re lonely; we lean on each other when we’re happy. He’s normally a happy, funny person who only gets sillier and happier when we’re in connection with each other in person, or online. He’s my walking partner, and a dog lover. He’s good at math and science. He’s smart and likes silly stuff on the Internet. He’s my person. He’s one of the best things in my life right now, apart from my family, my two dogs, and my friends. I want to marry him someday, because I know that he’s special in a miraculous way, and understands me better than I seem to understand myself.
I want him to know that I love him high as the sky and deep as the ocean, and that I will never let him go.
The Nerdy Nook 