Meet Carlos, my boyfriend. He tries to act tough but he’s actually really (really) soft, and sometimes a little bit of a nuisance, annnnnd most of the year he lives 992 miles away from me, 629 in the lucky months. That’s right, we’re a long distance couple and right again, it’s every bit as tough as you think it is. But instead of wallowing in sadness and complaining about feeling lonely for all the time we have to spend apart, we find it much easier to withstand the challenges of our relationship by focusing on the positives and leaving the negatives behind. With that little intro done, let’s get on to the most positive part of my summer. My trip to Richmond.
Now, to understand the true significance of this trip and the events that occurred, you have to know that Carlos and I rarely leave the couch when we’re together. With the unique exception of restaurants and the mall, all other activities have been unofficially banned from the dynamic of our relationship. That is, until about a week ago.
Day 1:
I arrived at the Richmond airport almost at noon and after waiting for him to (finally) pick me up, we headed straight for our favorite activity. Eating. Down to downtown Richmond we went, to a cute little pizza restaurant opposite the city canal walk called Bottom’s Up Pizza. After stuffing our faces with what actually turned out to be really good pie, we walked across the street and trudged what turned out to be the three miles of water and city that made up the Richmond Canal Walk. I really enjoyed the stroll (stroll is a stretch. There was sweat, some tears, and multiple breaks) and would do it again in the fall or maybe even the winter.
Along the way there were some interesting murals by some amazing artists. I obviously liked the owl 🙂
And not the mention the occasional selfie.
Day 2:
You would think that one day of walking, talking, and engaging like normal human beings would have worn us out, but no, we came in hot at the start of day 2 with a trip to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Yes. Flowers. And it’s safe to say, we are either very easily amazed or those gardens were something special. Roses and lilies and what seemed to be their signature, butterflies, littered this beautiful area and made for a perfect afternoon of flower gazing and sharing smiles.
When we first walked in there was a short display of flowers and fountains and the view of a beautiful green house. Carlos and I soon stopped to sit on a bench under some shade. We sat and enjoyed the beautiful fountain and just talked for a while and I thought that maybe that was it, but later I found that there was a lot more to the gardens than you got at first glance.
The fountain and the green house.
And more of the gardens
 
Day 3:
Okay, by now you would think we HAVE to have calmed down, but no, I am very proud to say that we made it into a third day of anti-couchpotatoing! Day three started a little late because of late sleep and brunching, but we made it to the Richmond Metro Zoo and just in time to feed the giraffes! If you need to know one thing about me, it is that I LOVE giraffes, like when I say love I mean with a damn passion, and I’ve wanted to go feed giraffes before, but for some reason it just hadn’t worked out. But FINALLY the day came and, man, was it everything I’d hoped for and more. The Giraffes were so beautiful and graceful, kind of aggressive when it came to food, but overall it was everything I thought it would be and that tad bit extra!
I’m not exactly sure when I started loving giraffes so much, but ever since I did I just cant get enough. Here is the first time I’ve ever touched one and I can assure you that if you could see my face, that fact would show.
Carlos got into it too ^_^
Now after hearing that back story and summing up this last trip, there’s no way you can’t be proud of us. Sure, there was some lounging here and there and we all know I couldn’t resist myself from shopping, but overall the change of pace (picking up the pace, mostly) was something we both found we actually really loved! No more lazing around for us!
Later that night we went out to the bar for a little while so that I could meet some friends of his that I didn’t get a chance to meet before! It was fun, mostly because I got to see him around people he loves. Our last day together was spent just the two of us, as usual. It doesn’t really hit how far apart we’re going to be again until it’s only hours away, but when it hits, it hits hard. So back to couch-potatoing (if you haven’t noticed, a word I made up) and later on, on day 4, we said goodbye. For now.
See y’all next blog!
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