Hi 25! Thank you for taking the time to read through my thread
In regards to curtains, I think she asked if it was okay to get curtains for the apartment not because I would need to be the one to purchase them, but I think she was unsure if it would be appropriate or misleading for her to re-decorate the house with the intention of moving out in the near future. A few months ago (when there was more tension), I think she was very worried about leading me on because she felt like she couldn't see far ahead. Since that original conversation a few months ago, we've purchased things for the apartment and she no longer mentions moving out. It doesn't cause me to lower my guard, however, or become lazy in my DB efforts. I know these changes will need to be lifelong, but that I will become a better person because of it.
I do make more money than her, but I don't think I held all the power in our relationship. She pays for what she can, I pay for what I can, and whatever I have leftover I use for both of us.
And you're absolutely right about the family stuff. I was in the wrong for not making enough effort with them in the past and honestly it didn't have to do with them, but more about my past and coming from a broken family. I don't spend a lot of time with my own family, so I guess I'm used to having limited interactions with them. The ex (before my current ex) had us spend an unreal amount of time with her family (like I felt like they ALL lived with us, even though they didn't), so I think that's why I was so over it by the time I started dating theEx. I was definitely in the wrong for not making more effort in that department, so I make it a point now to agree to any invite theEx extends to me for family stuff.
Yes, need to work on my GALing with other people! Honestly, I'm having a hard time meeting people here (I've been in SoCal for about 3 years now) and my office is small (only about 6 people in our office). I am trying, however, to make more effort with the few co-workers I have and do stuff with them outside of work (and separate from theEx). Baby steps, I know! Maybe I'll see if I can join one of those meetup groups or something!
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Journaling:
My younger sister gave birth this weekend, so I am all kinds of excited!! I can't believe I'm an aunt. I'm going home next week to spend time with her and immediate family (who will always be in town), so it'll be nice to see them and to spend time with my friends. It'll be a good opportunity to enjoy myself and do some GAL activities. I think it will also be a good opportunity for theEx and I to spend some time apart and hopefully reconnect when I return.
TheEx was also very excited about my sister giving birth and that she was now an aunt. It made me smile that she still considered herself to be part of my family (because regardless of our relationship status, I still consider her to be part of my family). It was cute how she gushed about wanting to see the baby when she goes back home later this year.
