When I first met the Future Doc, going to Med School was just an abstract idea to him. He had one semester left of college and had made no attempts to even take the MCAT. It wasn't until 3 years into our relationship that he decided to take the MCAT. 4 years later he was enrolled in Med School and we were moving to Appalachia.
See, about two years into our relationship he began talking seriously about wanting to become a doctor. I was in my first year of teaching and also going to school full time to complete my masters. While I tried to get through 16 hour days, he picked up all the slack and worked at a job he hated. So, when he started seriously entertaining the idea of Med School I supported him 100%, so grateful for the support he gave me.
I get asked a lot why we moved down here. As soon as people find out I'm from Columbus, but not a student they get curious. When I explain to them I'm a teacher, engaged to a Med Student their eyebrows go up and they say something along the lines of "lucky you" or "well, some day you won't have to work," as if that was my plan all along.
I'm not against quitting my job when we start a family, and I fully appreciate what Future Doc has the potential to do for our family. That being said, I didn't plan this. I didn't consider to possibility of Future Doc eventually becoming an Actual Doc when I agreed to go out with him on our first date. When he's gone for 24 hours straight, or we go three days straight with the only communicate we have is one of using waking the other to kiss them goodnight or wish them good morning, I don't find condolence in the fact that I signed up for this when I entered the relationship. I did sign up in supporting his passions and dreams, it just so happens his dream is a career that means he is gone a lot.
I know he did the same for me three years ago and I love him so much I would never discourage him from pursuing his passions. That being said it's hard to reconcile that this first year is just a glimpse of the rest of our lives together. Him working all the time and me hanging out at home, hoping to see him.
