I became involved in an online relationship with a woman about 3 years ago. We became incredibly close and fell in love. There's something indescribable about having a love while simultaneously not having her. Your relationship teeters between logic and fantasy, knowing you love her but also knowing that she lives in another world and having your fantasy become reality is nearly impossible. But, despite the impossible reality, we fell in love. Me in America and her in China. Months after falling in love and spending our lives in front of our phones, she had an opportunity to visit the US. We had an amazing 3 weeks together and, impossibly, fell further in love. It was like a dream playing out in fast forward, going skiing, flying, a beautiful date downtown during a romantic snow fall, gazing into each other's eyes across a small sulfur pool, learning each other, struggling with language, but getting closer through the act of communication. I bought her a promise ring, and the night before her flight back to China, I held her hand and with tears in my eyes, told her I loved her and we'd find a way to be together. The fear of knowing that tomorrow, she would no longer be with me wrenched my heart. Our last night together, we made ourselves smile through tears and pain and just held each other, not wanting to let go, ever. The morning alarm went off and I felt the blood drain from my head. An emptiness in my belly, almost emotionless as we made our way around packing her things in the car. We drove to the airport, holding hands, quiet because every word was a struggle to announce choked up with sorrow. We told each other we loved each other. She opened the door and stepped out, suitcase in tow, she went through the airport doors and she was gone. That day was 3 years ago. Despite the odds and after 2 visits to China and an amazing deal of planning and impossible struggles, we are finally married. She is laying next to me asleep and I appreciate every moment we have together. Back to 1989 contains just about everything in my story and is an absolutely beautiful rendition of love, loss, friendships, and family. Amazing!
