One of my best friends came home from his mission last night, Cameron. I've known Cam since I was 15; he is my best friend, Cassie's, boyfriend. He left on his mission to Baltimore/D.C. area in July 2008. While in the MTC (Missionary Training Center), he injured his leg and had to have surgery on his ACL with a 3 month recovery period, for which he opted to stay in Utah rather than come home. So, unlike most missions which are 24 months, Cam stuck it out an extra three. Thus totaling 27 months.
I didn't know if Cassie was going to make it/wait for him. But she did and I am so happy that she did. I cannot say enough about how amazing Cameron is. When Cassie called me last night and suddenly I heard Cameron talk into the phone, I lost it. Cassie had been counting down the days since day number one. Naturally I was kept up-to-date with his mission through their correspondence. I was out of my mind with nervousness. I only wrote him three times over the course of his mission. It's not that I didn't think about him, I thought and prayed about him all the time. I was just terrible with the correspondence via snail-mail. I raced over in my car to his house, shaking like crazy. I have had a couple friends return from their missions in the last year, but none of them hold a candle to the bond and depth of friendship I feel for Cam. When I walked into his house and saw him, my attempt to talk ended up being quite incoherent. I just stared; he was back. Finally. Cameron is back.
Last night was probably the weirdest thing I've experienced in...ever? Can I say that? Cassie was back where she belongs, right next to Cam on the couch. I know for a fact, because we spoke beforehand, that Cass was nervous like I was to see if things would feel the same, if Cameron was still as much the same person, to see if the chemistry and friendships were still there, still compatible. It all was, which was something I didn't know quite how to take last night. Cam had Cassie scooted up close on one side, holding her hand, affectionately kissing her head now and again. On his other side was me, his arm around my shoulder, playing with my hair and talking to the both of us. It was weird for a little bit, but then I stopped fighting it and realized nothing had changed. We hadn't missed a beat.
Today was wonderful. I went to Cam's homecoming talk and sat next to Cassie. Cameron definitely looks the same, granted he does show some physical signs of maturity, but his spirit is radiant. It's amazing. He has so much depth and experience behind him yet has still managed to maintain his sense of humor and every essence of character & personality that I remembered from before. Following his talk was a luncheon, which for Cass, Cam, Tanner, Laci, and I (as well as close family) became an all-day thing. I felt myself naturally fall back into place, into the same rhythm as before, next to Cassie & Cam. I didn't realize how much I missed it. But it all came effortlessly, quietly, and perfectly. We have picked up right where we left off, 828 days later.
