there he goes

Brian had a port call in Japan and it was glorious.  
I horded his time like a chipmunk storing up nuts for winter - or something weird like that - because most of my military friends stateside don't get the blessings of having their husbands home in the middle of a cruise.  The best and the worst part of it is that we got used to having him around.  

 Anywho....
This past Sunday, we got to take Brian to the boat in Yokosuka.  
We got to climb aboard the USS George Washington,

see his room,

 sit in the ready room like the professionals do,

see the hangar bay, 

enjoy dinner at a seaside Chili's on Yokosuka's base,

 and then we had to say our "good bye's" at the carrier.  We'll see him soon but it doesn't get easier - especially as Piper gets older.  

my sentiments exactly, Piper

But, luckily, this past week (a couple days after we said "bye"), we got to snag an afternoon with Brian because he had to fly to NAF Atsugi before he headed back out to the boat for some night qualifications.  
Piper and I biked up to the field to watch him.   

We heard the engines spool up and anticipation rose in our chests.  There was a rumble all around us as we watched a beautiful metal creature build speed and rise from the earth with a glowing neon blue afterburner blazing behind him.  And I thought, "wow, that's my husband going back to the boat." 
Emotions swelled, but I believe it was from the exquisite nature of the sight than from sadness. 
And just like that, Piper and I were alone again and biking home.