Trouble in paradise

Buddy has had a new boyfriend for a little while now.  I really like this kid.  He’s the same age, they have a ton of the same interests, he’s just an all-around nice kid.  There is nothing evil or dark or manipulative or controlling or anything about him.  It’s probably the first “normal” relationship she’s likely ever had.

Everything’s good.  They’ve had a couple of contrasting religious belief issues already but they managed to work out an “agree to disagree” approach to it and to respect each others opinions.

Sounds good right?

Buddy has started the process of applying for University.  As more time goes by and as she continues to do well, she’s become very focused on trying to get into a University and pursue her career choice.  She has many, many years of schooling ahead of her as she is planning on getting her doctorate and she almost got scared and bailed but that was only because she was afraid that she couldn’t do it.

Boyfriend needs to attend a very specialized program for his career choice.  That would actually have him living very close to home.  Initially buddy-child was also planning on staying very close to home because the thought of moving far away really freaked her out.  That and the thought of attending a big University in a big city was more than her anxiety could bear.

Until she started noticing some of the kids who left for college and University in the city next door.  They come home every weekend.  They haven’t tried to be anywhere new or expand their horizons so to speak.  She says it’s like they never left.

Now that she has seen this, she’s decided that she doesn’t want this to happen to her.  She also didn’t want to get “old” (you know, an adult) and realize that she never went anywhere different when she had the chance to.  She did the research and she found a small community college that offers the program she wants.  It’s about 5 hours away.  She just applied this week.

Boyfriend is stressed!  He can’t believe that she is going to be moving away from him and he’ll only get to see her on holidays!

I’m proud of buddy for pushing herself outside of her comfort zone.  She gets anxious easily and this whole experience is not an easy one for her but she realizes she should do this for her own good and she’s making herself do it.  But, it has caused some fights already.  So far, she’s sticking to her guns though and isn’t prepared to jeopardize her future for a boyfriend that may or may not be part of it.  That’s an excellent way to start on the path of independence!