Absence. Hearts. Fondness.

Have you ever had your heart ripped out? That is what it felt like at the tear filled goodbye this afternoon in Rome’s Fumicino airport. I was boarding a flight to the US and the Italian was boarding a flight to Kenya, where he is going to work for six months (much shorter if I have anything to do with it).

We realized that our lives would be filled with goodbyes in airports a long time ago, firstly because my family is in America and his is in Italy, but most importantly because we are both in the international development field, meaning a lifetime of two – four year contracts sprawled out across the globe. When I first left London we agreed that we would not go beyond one month without seeing each other. Up until now that has been easy. He visited the US for nearly three weeks and prior to our move to Benin I visited Italy for three weeks. We were largely spoiled by our stint in Benin where we indulged in each others presence for months, appreciating it but not realizing that once we left we would be separated by distance and time for possibly six months.

We both agreed that we would follow each other. It was his turn to follow me, but since he obtained a position in Kenya before I obtained a position anywhere, everything was left in the air. So to my surprise when I found out that I would be staying in Rome, both of our hearts sunk. I am not sure when we will reunite, but let me just say I will be looking for global public health jobs in Rome so I can bring the Italian back to Italy.