Without a thought

When you're young, there will never be a thought that will cross your mind involving your significant other when it comes to the decisions in your life. Things like, "oh, what should I eat for breakfast?" or "Should I go for a run now, or later...?" don't really involve anyone, and the bigger decisions still involving where you are going for school, or work, especially if these involve you moving to another city or country, don't really seem to concern anyone but yourself.

At least that's what I've always believed. Even when you're older.

It's been years, I guess, since that first time when I said I was going to go to another city for four years for my undergraduate degree and that was final, no questions asked.

I guess it came up again when I thought about going to another continent for more schooling.

It comes up in casual conversation, just over lunch or dinner, the casual, "I'm leaving in the fall for _____."

"Oh really?", which is then followed by a slight pause. Of course, there's a congratulatory outburst, but there's an unspoken, "so... what happens to us?"

They don't want to say anything because it'll make them seem like they're not supportive, and they really are, truly, happy for you, if that's what you want. You wouldn't want it any other way, and of course, you don't want to hear that unspoken phrase, because you know, that deep down, you value your choice and what you have chosen. If the decision was between this and the opportunity you have just taken, you know what you would choose first - in a heartbeat.

As selfish as it may seem, that's all that matters to you right now - personal choice and freedom without boundaries or restriction. And you know that if the roles were reversed, you'd be the first to push them away, telling them to go where their heart desires because how can you be truly happy if there are fences built around you?