We hate goodbyes—
   but we also know they're necessary.

Because tomorrow,
   my dog greets me :)
   with paws flying,
      tail spinning…

   wondering why I ever thought leaving was an option.

She gets her friends back,
   the Braves on Opening Day,
    a stadium full of cheers,
                    sunshine,
            and fresh starts…

   moments she can fully savor.

I have sendoffs—
   goodbye drinks,
   stories to swap,
   and seasons to end…

   with friends whose own goodbyes are waiting quietly on runways.

She has platelets to give,
        has lives to save—

   something impossible when one cocktail so easily turns into three.

We're good at being together,
          *maybe* even great,

   but there's magic in separation, too.

And every reunion proves it—
            laughter warmer,
       conversations deeper,
      time together sweeter,

   because we chose to step away,
   knowing fully we would return.

We step apart,
   not because we want to,
   but because we know we need to—

   knowing each goodbye
   is just one more way of saying:

   "I can't wait to be back again."