You think that your long-distance relationship is hard to maintain? Then think about the relationship of Amiko Kauderer NASA public affairs officer and her boyfriend Astronaut Scott Kelly, who is halfway into his Year In Space mission.
I have been following their public Instagram accounts since Scott Kelly was launched into space back in March. He’ll spend a whole year onboard the International Space Station, and I cannot really describe what I feel when I peek inside Amiko Kauderer’s and Scott Kelly’s lives as captured on Instagram.
The following side-by-side comparison photos gives you a striking picture of what it’s like to experience love separated by such a great distance.
Correction: This post originally said these two were married. They’re not! They just really, really like each other. I regret the error.
And liftoff
Huge thanks to all that made this beautiful launch possible. // 6 flights, 4 countries, 2 suitcases, a backpack and a duffle, 5 hotels and 1 amazing rocket launch. My heart now in orbit. The sun settles home tonight. And now the adventure begins.
Florida, Texas
Good morning, Southern #Florida from the @ISS. // Sweet, green canopy. I’m coming home.
Coffee time!
Morning @ISS with my coffee and news from Earth with KHOU News Houston and KHOU’s @thelilyjang // Working lunch at home as the rain falls. Enjoying the calm in this monotone grey over cast and tiny pitter-patter splashes w rolling thunder booms, coffee and a moment of pause. When it’s raining, it’s best to let it rain. Because sometimes it doesn’t. Thinking of @stationcdrkelly and how he misses these little nuances of weather in space. I get it.
BFF
@Astro_Terry and I celebrating #OpeningDay, and the #Astros and #Orioles being tied for 1st place! // today’s weather: perfect for an art museum tour and cappuccino conversations w a beautiful friend
Foodies
Looks messy, but it’s functional. Our #food table on the International Space Station. What’s for breakfast? // Some days, we all have to reboot. Press F8, and take a break. Cram slam w coconut Greek yogurt and a wash down with mango-peach protein.
Into the water
Hopefully this is pollen or algae and not something man made. // Do one thing every day that scares you. ~Roosevelt And do it with both feet. ~me
Night and day
My ninth #SaturdayNight onboard @ISS. // heliophilia (n.) love of sunshine
Window seat
Moved our closet (PMM) to this port on Node 3. Likely last picture ever to be taken from this window. // They were all so happy. These clouds.
Flourish
I don’t think I will ever see another quite like you. // When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other. ~Chinese Proverb On second thought, skip the loaf of bread; get the double lily ~me
Will it blend?
Christmas in July! Great gift for my 100th day in space! Only ~250 more to go (not that I’m counting) // My latest obsession.
Psalm 99
Day 99. Hoping for a happy and safe #FourthofJuly for everyone in #USA and around the world. Goodnight from @ISS! // Get your palms up. Who’s ready for the weekend?
Footies
Window on the world. Good morning from @ISS! // It’s time go begin. I’m just the same as I was. Now don’t you understand. That I’m never changing who I am.
Window selfies
#Bahamas and me. I think we know who’s better looking. // Saturday. I can’t feel my face when I’m with you. But I love it.
Sunset
Day 133. The end of a week punctuated with a nice period of #sunset. Good night from @ISS! // Beach sunset yogi.
Tortilla and pizza
Happy #NationalBurgerDay from @ISS! #YearInSpace #Space #Burger #Recipe for Rehydrated Beef Patty with MRE Cheddar Cheese Spread, Ketchup and Mustard on Space Tortilla: (1) Rehydrate beef patty using the onboard potable water dispenser (hot). (2) Allow beef patty 10-15 minutes to fully rehydrate before opening. No grill marks to gauge cook time, so keep an eye on your watch. (3) Use scissors to snip open patty pouch and cheddar cheese spread. (4) Top tortilla with patty, squeeze cheese, ketchup and mustard. (5) Enjoy! // #LaborDay chicken harissa pizza. Scott (@stationcdrkelly) helped me in the kitchen today from space. Whipped up a late lunch today as we visited via our weekly video conference. When I pulled the pizza out, he let me know it didn’t look quite done. Needed to be a little more browned, so I popped it back in the oven for a few. When it comes to #pizza, I don’t argue with the dude from New Jersey. And he was right. Now, it’s perfect. For a smidgen of a moment, life at home was almost normal. Almost. It’s the little things.
Baby you can drive my car
Day 159. A fisheye view from our window on the world. Good night from @ISS! // It’s hump day, let’s get a jump day. Nothing a jigger of a double espresso “undertow” can’t master. Great way to wrap up Space Station Live in Mission Control. Next, media event in rocket park.
All images and captions by stationcdrkelly and amikokauderer