"If you love her so much, let her go..."

I had it tough this morning. It all started last night when Roy called me to notify he was infected by poison ivy. What's weird is that it was a delayed infection and not immediate. He was working at the rental home at the Countryside when he got caught by dead branches filled with poison ivy. It didn't affect him immediately, but he didn't took care of himself right after he had contact with the horrifying plant. As a result of precautionary measures, he can't go to our upcoming road trip up north to the Texas Renaissance Festival.

We were both looking forward to it, especially the part that we're able to go camping for the night and hang out with our fellow brony group. When I got the news, I started to feel really bad for him. First he lost 1/2 of his amiibo collection, now this.

However, he may have made the mistakes, but he's now encouraging me to go on my own and experience the Renaissance Festival. I refused to. I kept saying no. I find it unfair that I get to go and he can't. He didn't deserve to be punished that way. At that time, I was faced with a tough decision.

I ended up calling a co-worker of mine, my mom, and my aunt to weigh in on options and advice. Normally I NEVER ask for advice, but when it comes to relationships, I can't do it alone. The location of the Renaissance Festival is too far from me, and I refuse to drive up there on my own. I'm okay being with the Bronies, but I only know very few that are confirmed of going, so I might be having a hard time. I realized that I've been looking up to Roy as my guide way too much, and that there will be times that I will have to start discovering some things on my own in case he's not around. Maybe I've been relying on him a bit too much.

He kept saying it's fine. It was his mistake and he's paying for it by trying to heal himself out of pain. He says I should not have to feel bad for him, nor pay for his mistakes by missing out on the Renaissance Festival. He really wants me to have fun. He wants me to experience this Texas tradition that won't come back until next year, because it is more likely I may not have that experience again.

He kept insisting over and over. Kept saying that everything will be fine, and wants me to go out and explore. He wants me to do it for the both of us. Then I thought…."wow he really does care so much about me…"

My options were the following:
--Go as normally planned, without Roy: I got the weekend off. I should go and have fun. Text Roy everything I've been doing over there. Consequences include feeling super awful all weekend and anxiety about him not going.

--Don't go: I figured I should stay with him. If he can't go, I won't go. It's simple, right? Consequences include missing out on all the fun at the Renaissance Festival as well as pretty much doing nothing all weekend…during the weekend you requested off. (what a waste lol)

--Go on a different weekend: I figured this would be a better option for the both of us anyways, but Roy wholeheartedly disagreed. Consequences include being the only ones in the Brony group experiencing the awesomeness that is the Rennaissance Festival.

--Go to festival, arrive to Galveston afterwards: He'll be there by then. Besides, I might not be able to do most of the stuff we were planning to do, but if I were to go and get a taste of the festival and make it to Galveston after sunset, then it's all even. Consenquences include not staying at the festival for the whole weekend and a 2.5 hour drive. That's it.

It took me an hour or so to actually weigh in on these options. Roy ended up calling me twice after not replying to his texts. He probably thought I was mad at him for deciding not to go. We talked, and I finally agreed that I would go on my own to the festival and explore whether with friends or on my own. I decided I won't be camping. I'll only be there all day Saturday and leave before sunset, probably around 5 pm or so. Since Galveston is only a 2.5 hour drive from the festival, I'll be there by night. As I write this, I still feel awful that he's unable to go, but the fact that he's encouraging me to have fun, especially for the both of us, is the most uplifting thing he's ever said to me. I will try to have the most fun out of this festival once Saturday comes around.

This has prompted me to learn a big lesson in life and love. Don't pay for the mistakes your significant other made. You don't deserve the same fallback as they did. Let them learn what they've done, and let them have the consequences. If you love them so much, let them go. Let them have the time they need and want. If they're encouraging you to attend an event they can't attend, or try out a thing that they can't try, DO IT. Let it be known that you're not doing it for yourself, you're doing it for the both of you.

Just go on your own and enjoy yourself. Take lots of pics and bring back a souvenir :) He'd be happy to know that you'd be having fun! Don't miss out on such an awesome opportunity; be an independent lady!

Have fun and enjoy yourself. Relationships are fun, believe me, but sometimes you need to enjoy things on your own. I realize that the situation isn't really that good, but you should make the most of it anyway. Get him a souvenir as well. That would probably cheer him up. :)

Just posting to say that your blog entries STILL are the only reason I look to blogs. :) Will read in sec lol.

edit: nice read

That's real sweet of him. I agree that you should go. Do it for him. Have a great time such that he can share in the same experiences when you're back with him. That's the best souvenir gift, I would think, to gift an experience filled with love and joy (but you could also accompany it with a material gift of course XD).

If Roy is anything like my bf, the guilt of you not going will be more painful than any poison ivy could ever be, haha. And if the Texas Renaissance Festival is anything like the New York one, it's not worth missing!

Go, take the gamble and have some fun. Take lots of pics, buy him a few keepsakes, and stay in touch. It'll be good for both of you. Proud of you!