3 weeks did not seem long enough

Andrew and I have only been together one month when he went home to Missouri to wait for his mission call. We had a lot of memories in Hawaii and it felt like we were together for a year. I said good bye to him outside his dorm on April 15th, 2013. I balled my eyes out because I didn't know if I'd ever see him again or if we would still be together when I see him again. We were only together for a month and we didn't promise anything. We kept communicating through text and skype while he was home but it wasn't even constant. I mean, we would only say good night and not really have a solid conversation over the phone for like 2 weeks. After three weeks something amazing Andrew texted me. He was like, "You should come visit me in Missouri on your break." I thought he was just messing around so I said I'd love to but that I couldn't afford it because I'm paying for school and all my expenses here in Hawaii. I was waiting for him to say, "I'm just kidding, Anna Banana!" but instead I got a message saying, "How about we split the cost?" Right when I read that I knew Andrew wanted to see me. And I wanted to see him.
3 months later, there I was... in the plane with butterflies in my stomach. My flight from Hawaii to Missouri was 14 hours including my layover in Arizona. You would think I'd have my beauty rest so my face won't look dead when I see him, but I didn't even get to close my eyes for a minute. I was so excited. I looked dead, I really did but who cares? I just wanted to see him and kiss the crap outta him!
The plane landed and as I was walking to claim my luggage, I walked down the baggage claim area. And there on the side I got a glimpse of Andrew's hair. The more I walked towards him, the more my heart pumped blood than usual. There he was wearing a black top and khaki shorts holding white roses with a smile on his face. I walked fast and smiled at him. I came too close to him and we grabbed each other and I squeezed him. He then gave me a kiss and gave me the flowers. My heart literally melted!
Andrew never let go of me. He was holding me while holding my bag while holding the roses the whole time. We were inseparable. And not to mention he had his 3 wisdom teeth extracted just 2 days prior to me visiting him, but he tried so hard not to look like he was in pain. I knew he was and I am glad I was there to take care of him.I met his two brothers who were with him to pick me up, Alex<Andrew's fraternal twin> and Ambrose. I gave them a hug and then Andrew asked Alex to hold all the things he was holding. He then picked me up, hugged me while spinning in circles, like in the movies. Too cute. And then he told me I was beautiful. I just can't! He melts me. 
On the car ride home I could not believe how humid Missouri was. It was more humid than Hawaii. We were sitting at the back holding each other and I fell asleep in his arms. The next thing I knew, we were home and my heart was racing. I thought to myself, "Oh my gosh Oh my gosh I am going to meet his parents. What if they don't like me? What if they don't want me?" I was paranoid for a second and then I opened their door and his dad welcomed me. He shook my hand and said,  "Hi. Welcome, I am Andrew's dad. Please feel at home." With a smile on his face. I gave a smile and said it was a pleasure to meet him. Andrew then brought me to the kitchen where his mom was cooking dinner for us. I walked and gave her a hug and said I was glad to meet her. She gave me a hug and said welcome to our home. I was so relieved! They are so nice and Mama bear cooks amazing food. ALL THE TIME. She always tells Andrew to bring me to places so I won't get bored. 
Andrew then brought me to his room, where I stayed for 3 weeks while he slept in the basement with his brothers. I had jet lag my first night. Every one was asleep while I was wide awake at 3 am. I turned around and Andrew freaked me out! He always does. He was sitting on my bed and I was looking at him. I still could not believe I was there. In Missouri. In his house. Looking at his face. It was like a dream. 
My first weekend his family brought me to Nauvoo to watch the pageant. I had an amazing time. I have always heard about Nauvoo and the temple and the church's historical significance when I was in the primary. I have always wanted to be there and see it with my own eyes. 12 years later, there I was... walking on the Nauvoo temple grounds with Andrew. It was priceless! 
My second week was just full of adventures. I had my MG friend from Kansas City travel to St. Charles and see me. Aubrey stayed with us for a night. Andrew brought us to St. Louis to see the arch and the rest of the city. We had dinner at Outback to celebrate Aubrey's birthday. The next day we went to the Art Museum and had an awesome time. I love you, Aubby and thank you so much for visiting me!A couple of days later I met some of Andrew's friends and we went out river boat cruising since their friend had a boat. We went out bowling the next day with the same group of people and had so much fun. I went winter coat shopping with Andrew for his mission and he went shopping with me. We also watched the conjuring and we loved it. Finally, a boyfriend who loves scary movies just as much as I love them! 
On my third week, Andrew took me out to dinner. He wanted to dress up and eat somewhere fancy to celebrate my birthday in advance and all the birthdays he wouldn't be around to celebrate with me. He bought me a long black dress he knew would look good on me. He has good taste. (: And he was wearing his suit and the tie I gave him for his birthday when we were in Hawaii 3 months back. Oh, heck ya we looked so good! Haha. We went to Cheesecake Factory to get our cheesecakes and then he brought me to Olive Garden for the real dinner. I know, we ate our dessert first. We are weird like that. After dinner, he pulled out a tiny box and he let me open it. It was a sterling silver ring band with an engraving in Hawaiian that means, "Farewell, Til we meet again." What a sweetheart! I thanked him and gave him a kiss. I also pulled out something and place it on his finger. It was a Sunstone ring with an engraving EETTE which means Endure and Enjoy To The End. The Sunstone is a symbol from the Nauvoo temple that represents the Celestial Kingdom. I wanted him to be always reminded of his goal while he is on his mission and while we are away for so long. I also chose to give him that because it's a symbol from the Nauvoo temple and he made one of my wildest dreams come true by bringing me there. He gave me too much kisses and I loved it. (: 
After our dinner date we went home and watched Titanic until 3 in the morning. I just love how he would watch chick flicks with me until the wee hours of the morning. We ate some of the left overs we had while watching the movie. My last weekend, his dad took me, him, and his other brother, Laurence to Chicago for 2 days. I got to see my grandma who I have not seen in 10 years. I got the chance to introduce Andrew to her. My first boyfriend that I got to introduce to her. She gave Andrew a hug and she loves him. Andrew's dad and brother also got the chance to meet my grandma and that was priceless. We had a great time in Chicago and I am just so grateful to Andrew's family for having me for three weeks and for taking me to places and for taking such good care of me. 
Three weeks went by so fast. I could not believe I was coming back to Hawaii so soon. I woke up at 4 am with my chest in pain. I got ready with tears in my eyes. Andrew knocked on my door and told me breakfast was ready. He cooked my last breakfast and made some pancakes. He got ready and helped me put my things in the car. On the drive to the airport, we held hands like nobody's business. The sky was so beautiful, but I just didn't want to leave yet. We got to the airport and he helped me check in my luggage. The lady asked him, "Are you just going to let her fly alone? Really?" And then he said, "She needs to go back for school." And then the lady asked for his I.D and gave him a pass so he could go in with me until I board the plane. She was a super nice lady! I felt like she knew I won't be able to see my boyfriend for 2 years. 
So there we were on our last 10 minutes together. My heart was hurting and I was trying SOOO hard not to cry. When Andrew said, "Okay, I gotta go now." My heart literally dropped and I knew that was it. It was time to let go. For now. No more ANdrew to wake up to every morning and to cook me breakfast and to brush my teeth with every night. No more Andrew to read scriptures and pray with every night. No more Andrew to hold my hand everywhere we go, even while driving. He carried me and hugged me. I was already balling my eyes out and his eyes were starting to water. We could not let go. We did not want to let go. We kept hugging and kissing and saying I love you. Every time we knew we should let go, we just kept pulling each other and kissing like there will be no tomorrow. After 5 minutes we finally had the courage to let go and he started walking towards the exit. I was crying so much that I felt dizzy. It felt like I was going to pass out. I sat down and tried to contain myself. I stood up and looked at him walking. Each step he made just crushed me because it was real. He was far away now and I realized I wouldn't be able to see his face and hold him for two years. I managed to run and left my things. I ran up to him, crying like a baby. He looked back and said, "Oh, Anne!" He then grabbed me and we cried like no one;s business. He said with his crying voice, "I love you so much, ANne." My heart was just breaking and I told him I love him, too. He kissed me one last time and then we had to let go. Probably the hardest thing in my life at that moment was letting go of his hand, knowing that I won't get to hold it in a long time and probably would forget how it feels to be hugged and kissed by someone you love so much. I may forget how it would feel like but I will never forget the memories we made. 
Andrew will be entering the MTC in 5 days and will be serving the Lord in the Colorado Springs, Colorado Mission. I can't wait to see pictures of him with his name tag on! I am so happy and proud of his decision to go on a mission. Sometimes people don't understand the sacrifices missionaries make and the people they leave behind. So for those who have loved ones leaving for 3 weeks or 6 weeks, be grateful it's not 2 years. You have NO idea how lucky you are.
I did not expect meeting such an incredible person who I would be worthy to have. Even until now I still don't feel like I deserve to have such a good person to love me this much. I especially did not expect flying 4,000 miles away to see him. It was my first time flying alone so far just to see someone. God really does put people in our lives at the right time. I am so blessed to have Andrew. He treats me like no other. He makes me forget my heart was ever broken. I have never received so much love from one man before.
Andrew, if you are reading this right now... thank you for showing me what kind of love all women deserve. Thank you for giving me so much to remember. I am lucky to have someone who makes me look forward to tomorrow. I love you! I'll see you soon. (:

       This face at the airport ;)

     Nauvoo Trip

     Our dinner date

     Chicago Trip

    At the airport. Our last picture for the next two years. Love him!