It's easy to think this situation isn't so tough - then I remember he's been gone for less than two weeks. It's easy to think I've got this and I can make it until he comes back - then I remember that's not for another 28 days. It's easy to savor the phone calls and Skype nights - until I realize just how fiercely it makes me miss him being around in person.

So far, it's been manageable. I've been lucky to have distractions that keep me from getting preoccupied with missing the physical contact and the sharing a bed parts of it. I can only hope that the rest of this month stays just busy enough. Being a bridesmaid in one of my best friends' weddings is starting to help tremendously. With the wedding less than three months away, we're getting into the swing of all the events, and it's been giving me things to do and reasons to spend the weekends in New Orleans. This past weekend was just what I needed - beautiful weather, a solo road trip, time with my friend, people watching at the bridal boutique, a Saints game (even though it was absolutely heartbreaking), shopping, food, drinks, the French Quarter, my friend's awesome cat. I get to look forward to the bridal shower in early February. I get to look forward to a Matt Nathanson concert in Baton Rouge mid-February, my first concert of the year and someone I'm very much excited to see as a headliner for the first time.

I get to share all fun wedding activity times with my friend, I get to see a great concert, and I get to hang out with my friends...and soon enough, I get to spend all of Mardi Gras with him. I can do this.