Long-Term Gain
U/phalanges10: “Her partner was leaving for basic training two states away, and my daughter was starting graduate school. She wore an engagement ring when she returned from a visit two months later. His first assignment after training was to a location that was rather far away. Rather than leaving school to come to live with him, he urged her to stay and finish. Gains over time offset short-term hardship.
After graduating, he paid for her travel to join him, and at Christmas, he flew home for a modest courthouse wedding. (Because the fiancée does not receive benefits, the spouse does.) Final outcome: attempting for a first child and approaching the five-year anniversary. I’m incredibly happy for her.”
