How I have changed in the last two years?

It is pretty safe to say that I have experienced a considerable amount of self-growth during the last couple of years.  Some of the aforementioned  growth I can attribute to time, some to my own determination, and a lot of it to my soul mate, best friend, partner in which I am navigating this crazy life with, and the love of my life, Cody.

I love this man so much, and my children love him, too.  We were meant to be and will grow old together...in a tiny home in the mountains somewhere, and we cannot wait for it.  When the kids move out, we are out of here!  :)


 






























Cody is getting ready to switch to a different department in his building, so the beard had to go.  I miss it, but I know it will be back some time (and he is hot either way, so it doesn't really matter to me).

Our two-year anniversary is approaching, and I can say with certainty that this relationship has changed me for the better.  Before Cody and I met, I was drinking beer (not too many, but still, almost every day) and going out way too often.  Don't get me wrong, when my kids were home I did not behave this way, but for a long time Clint and I did one week on, one week off.  My one week off was full of wild shenanigans of a single gal looking for a decent guy (not that you ever find a keeper in a bar.  Fling? Yes.  Long-term, no.  At least, not in my experience).

I owe my meeting Cody to my friends, Portland and Andy.  I simply asked them if they had any cute, single friends, and they thought for a moment and then came up with Cody.  Andy sent him a text that night, we became facebook friends and exchanged numbers.  After a week of flirty banter, we planned to go to a barbeque at Portland's on a certain Thursday night.  Being the forward person that I am, I asked him if he wanted to hang out with me Wednesday night after I got off of work at Cato (the night before we were supposed to meet).  He agreed, though he had to be up early for work the next day.  I took a six pack of beer and we talked for hours and were basically inseparable from that point on. 

Due to weird living situations in both of our lives, we moved in together after knowing each other for two months.  It has been the best decision that I have ever made.  I am the happiest that I have ever been in my life, and my kids and I have an excellent man to lead our family.  We would already be married if I were not going back to school.  When I graduate, we are going to have a destination wedding, then a party reception when we get back into town.

Being with Cody has taught me many things, but I will list some to fulfill the point of this post, explaining how I have changed in the last two years.

1.  I have learned that I do not have to be afraid of arguing or disagreeing with him.  We have fights, as all couples do, but we treat each other with respect.  No yelling, no cursing, and no name calling.  We talk it out in the garage, cry, then kiss and make up.  This is forever, and we both know it.

2.  I have gotten better at asking for help.  I am extremely independent, and during the last couple of years, especially after my divorce, I learned that it was okay to ask my friends and family for help when I needed it.  I have a great support system of people more than willing to drop everything and help me if need be.

3.  I am more at peace with myself and life in general.  I can let go of most things that bother me fairly easily.  Of course, there are problems that do not just immediately go away, but I have learned that just sleeping on an issue does wonders for my perspective on the problem.  

4.  I am a better person.  I care about other people and the well-being of mankind in general.  I am not any more outgoing, but I do not desire to be.  I make the correct decisions and am living life as honestly as I can.

5.  I have become able to be self-employed.  This allows me to attend college full time.  I am currently in my seventh semester of college.

6.  I have become a better communicator.  Cody is usually quite the talker, and he has brought me out of my shell.  I can really let my guard down when it is just him and me, and I love that about our relationship.

7.  I am more organized, yet more relaxed at the same time (if that makes any sense at all).

8.  I am more confident.  I have never really lacked in the self-confidence department, but having someone who loves me and has my back 100% of the time has boosted my confidence level.

9.  I am a better mom.  Having a partner to share the load of the monotonous, day-to-day parenting tasks is priceless.  Equally great is having that same person there so share in all of the joy, laughter, and silliness that are involved with raising our kids.

10.  I am happy...the happiest I have ever been...enough said.

Next topic for my blogging challenge is, "What kind of person attracts you?"  I will try to keep the material different that what is in this post, but be ready to read a lot more information about Cody and why I am attracted to him.