So I know I should feel really lucky that DB gets to come home to spend a week here for Christmas... and I know I would be miserable without him here for the holiday, but a part of me is scared. We worked so hard on learning how to communicate with each other during deployment... and when he comes home and leaves again, I am worried we will have to start from square 1 all over again. It was so hard the first time. Plus, I am really worried about having to say goodbye a second time. The first one left me devastated and a complete mess... just broken. I don't want to feel that way again. I feel like it's just a tease that he is coming home for a week and then leaving for four more months.
***ADVICE PLEASE***
What should I expect?
Was it harder the second time he left?
Is it easier in your opinion to do a deployment in one length of time instead of two parts?
TIA, Maggie

I went to see my SO half way through this deployment in Dubai. I thought it might be hard to say goodbye again and it was. However, it was NOTHING like the first time!!! It wasn't nearly as tough because you don't have as long to wait as you did at the first goodbye.

I say embrace the moment, spend all your time together, and be strong. You will make it!!!!!!!

Thank you so much. Sorry if I sounded "complainy" (lol - I know its not a word)... I am really excited to have him home, I am just also scared of feeling that "hurt" again.
Thanks again.
Maggie

yeah it's going to be very painful, but those four months will hopefully fly by!!!

It will be hard no matter what, but it will almost be easier knowing you are halfway through it and you only have what you just went through and you see it as ENTIRELY conquerable!!!!! :hugs Just go into it open minded and enjoy the time you have together and when it comes time to say goodbye again, remember what you conquered before you were able to see each other again and know that this reunion next time will not be short!!!!