Brooke Burke: Things We Take for Granted

If distance truly makes the heart grow fonder, I am in for the love affair of a lifetime. David has been gone in Africa for the past 5 weeks. He’s doing a French reality show and it was an offer he couldn’t refuse. I have been discrete about him being gone for obvious safety reasons. But now that I am on my way to Africa with the kids to join him, I have to share… Soon the world will know and our reunion will be televised, so there goes my privacy...! By the way, my South African trip is 35 hrs. What possessed me to take the trip, is coming soon.

Opening Up

I am happy that I can finally open up about David being away from our family because the past month has been an incredible learning experience for me. When in life does anyone get a break, a soulful retreat from their significant other, (for 2 months) without calling it a separation or mid life crisis?!? This opportunity for David was for work, but it has turned into so much more.

My Story

Let me start by saying that we have never been apart, with the exception of a film he shot in Morocco when I was pregnant with Rain. He is a TOTAL hands-on dad and none of us knew how we would survive without him. I remember back in February, fessing up to my girlfriends that I was filled with fear and imagined I would cry every day he was gone. They smiled, reassured me, encouraged me to support him, and promised that I would be fine…. Funny because I have always been the woman that could and WOULD survive if dropped into the jungle with a nap sack, a whim and a prayer. I have always been self sufficient, and capable of almost anything. BUT, when it comes to love, I am my most vulnerable and quite dependent. David would beg to differ, but in my mind, I need him more than he knows.

Life Without David...

So off he went, and there I stood not knowing what the hell I was going to do with myself! I started my show, She’s Got the Look, which lasted 3 weeks and on most days I worked 12-15 hrs. I worked on a few other gigs, buried myself in Modern Mom, and of course was consumed on a full time basis with my four kids. They are my full time job, in addition to my many other FULL time jobs! Much to my surprise, time was flying by and what little I had to spare, I began writing, working out more, and actually taking some moments by myself to think, reflect, and check in. I must confess, none of that is easy when your man is around. I took my first EVER girlfriend/metime trip, super valuable for any woman! My biggest realization is that I have never constructively been alone and I am much stronger than I thought. I can still love deeply and be fine on my own. Although I have missed David terribly, the time apart has been really positive.

Dear David...

We’ve been writing love letters, which I highly recommend. It’s not only romantic, but also its different to write your feelings and to read someone else’s, than to have the day-to-day conversations. What we’ve realized as a couple and I feel very fortunate to have experienced (it is only because we are living across the world from one another) are the little things we took for granted and the little things we never took advantage of.

What I Miss Most

Imagine if suddenly your partner was gone. No dinners together, no chance to enjoy that first cup of coffee (not that we ever do!), no kiss goodnight, no sweet “good morning” to start your day, no one to be your first call to share great news, or catch you during the bad news…. Sounds corny, but I actually miss all those things, and I totally took them for granted.

Pending Excitement

Human nature can be a greedy, ungrateful thing! I’m on my way to Africa now, and I have to say that I cannot wait for that kiss that I stopped looking forward to.. Ooops, let me clarify that �" I always love the kiss, but what was lost was the habit. I know I will sleep curled up under his arm instead of on my side of the bed, and I will listen intently to his experiences and share some of my feelings that are not usually expressed. I actually have those first 3 month butterflies. What an amazing feeling!!!!

Isn't it funny...

Funny how life sometimes has a way of taking away the things we take for granted. Fortunately for me, it is only temporary. What a gift my nightmare turned out to be. It goes back to what I blogged about a few days ago. Change your point of view and try to embrace even the most difficult situation. You never know what you might learn.