Before: for at least a year before the bomb, he was behaving like a rebellious, belligerant, angry 15 year old and I was the mean mommy. (Yuck--and as though I don't have enough real teenage boys!) After: He's behaving more like an adult most of the time, and acknowledges that he had been acting immature before.
Before: Even though he's not a big drinker, he was drinking (openly and secretly) a lot for about 6-months before the bomb. At some point, he told me that the drinking started because he was very depressed, but escalated as the EA did to deal with his guilt. After: Very minimal drinking and no other escapist stuff that I can see.
Before: He was expressing a lot of resentment about us living near my family. He later told me that he thought they were all telling me that I should ditch him & get someone "better". At first, after the bomb, he avoided my family out of shame. After: He now realizes that my family is no threat, and never was badmouthing him. They were pretty angry with him after the bomb, but in the last few months he's gone to family occasions with me and had alot of fun. When I stop to think about the courage and resolve it must have taken to face my family, it speaks volumes. (note to self--remember to express appreciation about that!)
Before: He dragged his heals and was wishy-washy about the subject of getting legally married for 9 years. After: He's planning wedding stuff: budget, tuxes, location, food, music, etc. Weird and amazing, but good!
