A Farewell to Auren

[Merila]

Hello all!

As some of you may be aware, Auren (my husband) is entering the US Air Force and will be leaving for basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas on Monday, February 24th. As a result of this, he will be completely offline and out of contact with everyone here in Saga until mid-to-late April.

He won't have access to a computer until he completes his training and graduates, and during those 8 weeks, he will only have phone privileges for 1 hour once a week (eek!).

So I wanted to open up a thread for folks to say goodbye and wish him luck before he goes. Feel free to leave any encouragement or advice here as well, for him or me (this will be our first major separation since we moved in together in August 2012, since I will be remaining in Florida until he gets his first station orders).

[Rumze]

GOOD LUCK! I hope you do well! Im pretty sure time will fly by and youll be back before you know it

Hmm no real advice since I don't know what basic training is like so just have all my well wishes - both you guys!

[Sroth]

NoooooOOOOO!!

Well, it is nice to hear that you finally made it in, Auren! Best of luck, and can't wait for your grand return!

[Askari]

Thank you Auren for your service, best of luck to you. And thank you Merila for keeping the home fires burning.

[Mixxi]

I'm sad to see Auren AFK for so long, and sad that Merila will be without her Auren.

But I'm very, very excited for the adventure you guys are beginning. And I'm still pulling for the station assignment to bring us into the same part of the country.

They're lucky to get Auren. I can only imagine how he's going to blow them away with his energy, smarts, and drive.

[Auren]

Aww  Thank you everyone for your responses (and responses yet to come)!  I will miss you all, but I will return to you with fanfare!  Just you wait! 

Mixxi, when I read the first part of your response, the image of a dungeon run inturrupted by a 9-week AFK popped into my mind.  By the time I got back, my fellow dungeoneers would've built a fortress, complete with a small village inside the walls, and started trade relations with the natives.

[Lyrima]

Auren & Merila-

I don't know either of you but I do know long distance relationships   They can be a powerful influence for the good on a couple.  When apart from my beloved, I purposely reminded myself of the things that made me happy--I even found my way to appreciating my missing of him!

That said, Auren, thank you so, so much for your service.  May all your hardwork and sacrifice bring blessings on you, Merila and your families.

[Talon]

Auren!

Very best of luck. It will be tough but we are all here for you, even if we can't talk to you electronically for a while.

Merila, we're here for you too.

I know it's the start of quite an adventure for both of you. We'll miss you while you're AFK mate but we'll be eager to see your fanfare return.

You just know all the great game releases are waiting until you're at training, right?

That dungeon AFK scenario cracked me up.

Miss you already.

[Cyrian]

Good luck Auren, we appreciate your service   

[PinkRose]

Thank you for your service, Auren.
Keep your head down and be safe.
And while you are taking care of us, we'll take care of Merila.
My cousin just went through basic and his mom was a wreck, but the homecomings are that much sweeter.
Good Luck and God's Speed!

[Pedekele]

I was gonna say pretty much the same as Lyrima,

I don't know you guys yet, but i know that being separated for some time can strengthen a relationship. It helps us see the little things.

I wish you all the best. Cya Later!

[Gith]

Sad to see you gone but it is a good start to something new. It was nice chatting with you on Mumble and exchanging stories. I am so busy at work it will seem like you will be back on Mumble before long!

[Jhared]

Good luck! I hope it works out for you two.

[Jezerai]

We will miss you Auren!  Keep safe and we'll be here when you come back!

[Elly]

Good luck!

And remember to never call your drill sergeant "Sir". It makes them yell. 

[Vilidius]

Good luck in basic, try to enjoy it as much as reasonably possible, and we'll see you soon.

Advice to Merila - just game for the both of you while he's gone. It'll definitely pass the time. =)

[Namae Nai]

Stay focused friend. You will be missed, and we'll be cheerin' for ya!