Bad(ly timed) romance??

Kr
So I met this guy a couple weeks ago and we've had a casual fling, I really like him. He's really inquisitive and relaxed, he doesn't judge the weird things I do or say, he smiles at me for no reason and says I'm beautiful randomly at least like, 3 times a day and just the way we talk and interact and how comfortable and happy I feel with him (also dick game strong) makes me fall so much harder. Anyways I really want to keep seeing the guy but here's the catch: IM TRAVELLING OVERSEAS FOR 9 MONTHS IN A DAY. 
Today was the last day I'll spend time with him for at least that long and my issue isn't the time, it will be a great trip, but I'm just so worried I'll lose him and when I come back it won't be the same and we'll lose contact since I've only known him for the most early stages of getting to know someone. Please give me your experiences!! Has anything like this happened to you before!? How did it turn out? Did you see them again?
 I really don't want to lose this guy like, the thought of staying behind has crossed my mind plenty of times, but because it's such early stages it sucks so much, I'm so so sad 😔