Cotton Eyed Joe

By now you've all heard that I sent Kirby to Alaska. 

Or in his words, I 'pushed' him off the cliff.... (lol)

I'm excited for him. 

You see my husband loves routine and is not much for change.

And he would stay in that routine like a loyal dog getting kicked everyday and still show up the next morning. 

I couldn't do it. I couldn't watch him be a loyal dog to something that continued to kick and punch. 

I casually dropped the bug in his ear. I joked about it. I made reference to it. Heck-I even bought a Father's day present that was geared to him teaching in Alaska.  

He took the bait...hook.line.sinker.  

We are just in the first few weeks of this new 'adventure' as we have been calling it and already I can see a change in him. 

There's a fire in his eyes-his word selection is sharper-he smiles more when we skype-he's made new friends-he's seen new things......And I couldn't be happier for him. 

It's been interesting on my end of things. 

Some people I speak to 'get it' and some people don't. 

Some people look at me like they can't believe he left me and are confused when I tell them I told him to go.  

Some people are supportive and offer their support to me. 

Some people just look at me and don't come over because they are scared. (Or so I think)

I think the best part of being married is that you can let someone go and give them the freedom they need while still being part of a couple.  

I have gone to Mexico numerous times, Las Vegas, Florida and never once has Kirby told me I can't go.  He just sends me on my way and doesn't bat an eye. 

Don't get me wrong, Kirby has done  plenty of hunting and fishing trips....but this time, he needed something different. Something bigger. 

And it doesn't get much bigger than Alaska. 

"Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy. "           Robert Tew

(This is from our trip to Chicago this summer to attend a friends wedding. Kirby and I are known to cut loose on the dance floor and the photographer caught a candid moment of us. I love this picture. This trip was a turning point and the beginning of making Alaska a possibility.....)