Switzerland looms..

I am fortunate enough to be jetting off to Switzerland in just over a week to study for a term there, and let me tell you, the break from Aberdeen could not come any sooner. Of course I'm going to miss my friends - my flatmate who simultaneously embodies hyper-masculinity and deliriously camp tendencies, such as hours of internet shopping with me and my posh ex-pat classmate who can drink most men under the table, to name a few. But, as much as I can't wait for them all to visit, the hell am I going to miss Aberdeen itself with its grey tendencies, 3 annual days of sunshine and more assholes than I care to mention. I think Switzerland will be a wonderful experience, and I may even come back with a tan.

However, the question that always seems to be on the tips of everyone's tongue is "What about Dave?"

This question completely bemuses me. Number one, if I didn't think we could cope, do you really think I'd be jeopardising my engagement? Numero two, don't you think he completely supports me in this? Number three, do it not cross your mind that he might actually come and visit me?

Ultimately, it's people taking the rare opportunity to pry into the intimate workings of my relationship. "What about Dave?" can be translated to "How will you cope?" "Do you think he'll be okay?" "Do you think you'll split up?" "Is this really your best decision?" "Do you not care for your relationship?".

It bugs the living hell out of me. Firstly, it's none of your business, and secondly, it's none of your business. I actually remember speaking to a friend about it when I had my first meeting about going away and her friend (who openly disliked me) piped up "But, what about Dave?". The audacity not only of someone I didn't know, but someone that hadn't ever treated me with respect, to ask me a personal question about my relationship purely because of the negative connotations? Bit rude. I swear this Facebook culture is making people think they deserve to know the innermost goings on in everyone's life.

Anyway, I managed to muster up a condescending smile and a "If we can't manage six months apart we should probably rethink the relationship" but walked away totally pissed off.   Since when did going abroad become about the relationship you are leaving behind and not the amazing experience in front of you? My potential time in Switzerland felt completely trivialised and undermined. 

It's probably important to mention, however, that just after I bumped into my friend, and her friend, that I was on the phone to Dave, having a moment of weakness, talking about how I wasn't sure that I wanted to go because I'd miss him so much. 

And he said to me: "Don't be such a daft bitch, I'll miss you too but if you give up this experience for me, I will not be impressed. Run with it! We'll be fine! I'm sure I could cope with some holidays in the alps."

I couldn't get over how lucky I was to have someone as supportive as him, even just last night he talked about how excited he was for me going away to have an incredible time. So now, when people ask, "What about Dave?" I say, "He says we'll be fine."