Things are Changing

Throughout the last 2 and a half years, my life has changed drastically.
One, marrying my wonderful husband, but mostly jumping in headfirst, scared to death, into a brand new lifestyle... one which I am very familiar with now, and that is the military lifestyle.
There have been lots of changes in both our lives, and our life together as a married couple... there are some things that have stayed the same, but a lot of things are different.
We are in it together. We don't need anyone's help. We're each other's best friend...
Particularly during this deployment, things have changed a lot quicker and a lot more drastically than ever before. My husband, Dustin, left in May 2009 on, what originally was, a 12 month deployment to Afghanistan.
Actually, let me rewind that. When we married in 2007, both our lives were changed for the better. We found what it was like to really love, run a household together, and of course have the typical married couple arguments... However, in those arguments, there have only been a few that I can count on one hand that we have ever raised our voices in. Still being so young, both 20 years of age, we wanted to start our marriage off the right way. We have learned a lot together, and we have been through a lot together, and got used to being with each other everyday.
So, back to deployment, with him being away, I learned to be more self sufficeint. Things I normally would have asked him to help with, I had to do.. mostly because I had no choice. I've gained a sense of independence, a sense that I have not felt since before we got married. I, and him as well, have matured much faster than those around us who do not have the responsibilities we do. I am thankful most people see the changes in us, and recognize how far we have come since we were young(er) and stupid.
However, to every upside, there is usually a down side. Not everyone we know has grown up like we have, and not everyone we know have the responsibilities and mindset we do, either. Because of that, we have lost some friends...not because we are better then them, but because we've bettered ourselves, and they have chosen not to and still expect one or both of us to act in an irresponsible and immature way.
I am not saddened by the loss of these friendships, only because we have gained better and more mature, true friendships.
We have recognized what is important to us... and that's each other, family, and getting the bills paid. Pulling all nighters, drinking ourselves to death, and hard partying are not the priorities we have. We have stepped in the right direction to only surround ourselves with positive energy and people, because we don't want anything to get in the way that doesn't have to. We are okay with starting over in a new place. I've actually come to like it! I feel like when we are alone, we focus better on our marriage and what's important to us. I really feel that's why we have had such a successful marriage so far.

So, just remember... You cannot change the things around you, you can only change yourself.