First of all, take a deep breath and look around you to see who your real friends are. Life is never ruined unless you want it to be. It is a minor setback at best. These are the people I choose to distance myself from. I am blessed with a great group of friends who stand by us, no matter what, and who are non-judegemental. We all make mistakes, and none...I mean none of us are angels. Maybe we have not been caught, but I am sure we have been guilty of doing a stupid thing at one time or another. There is a great book called "Three felonies a day", so maybe you can buy that as a gift for those who think they are better than you. You have heard of the "Fight or Flight" syndrome. These are the people who rather turn their backs than fight. They are weak, uneducated and insecure. They care about what other people think of them. They would also leave their friends if they had cancer because they can't deal with real life problems. What a shame. I am getting angry but happy that I have such great support from my co-workers, friends, and family. Judging should be left to the people who have a right to judge. I am not religious, so that really leaves nobody to judge at all. Stand by your guy and be the better person. Karma is ever present, so these so called friends will get their share on non compassion. It is just a matter of time. You only have 6 months to go to start a new life....how exciting. I have not even started my journey yet, but I feel that I can handle it, knowing that so many people are in the same boat. Don't let anyone tell you what to do, and nobody can see into the future.....

Hi to start with only 6 months to go that's awesome!
As for you family they have no right to say what they have been that's mean and shows how little they understand and know your man..will this ruin your life? Nop its just a bump in the road for you and your love. Your family can't predict what's going to happen!
Last year did drag!
Keep talking to us we do get and will help if we can. Big thing keep talking to him writing letter takeing calls and visits it all helps.
Hung in there!

yeah I think it just makes it worse because it is family. They would never understand unless it was happening to them. They seem to think the easier option is to walk away and move on with my life. But they know that's not what I want and I wont let anyone try and stop me. when I read on here about other peoples partners being inside for much much longer it really breaks my heart. I couldn't bare to imagine how hard that must be honestly a year feels like a lifetime to me! And the 6months gone have really felt forever. thanks for both your replys :) I guess like everyone else we all have good and bad days.

No one knows what this is like except for those of us living it. Maybe your family thinks they are looking out for you, but really they're just judging your relationship and letting you down. You have to turn to people who accept your decision to stick with your guy and help you get through it! I'd also say not to waste your energy on wishing the family was different- try not to take it personally- they just don't understand. You're in the right place now- everyone here has been so good to me, totally non-judgmental and supportive.
You're halfway there...hope the next half is easier now that you've found people you can talk to.

You have made it through the roughest part of your journey. The next 6 months should be treated as a glorious countdown to the day he is back at home with you!

I also agree that you need to surround yourself around people who do not judge your situation. Sometimes, those people are very hard to find. But, the ones who truly care about you will just want YOU to be happy...and that's all they want. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but until something like this actually happens directly to them, none of those people can really say how they would react or what they would really do.

Keep your chin up! This group is amazing!

P.S. I count down by days, not months. It makes things so much easier on my heart. ;-)

I agree with the other ladies, you have made it through the toughest part, the next 6 months will be a count down, you can do it and don't let anyone get in your way. We are here to support you and to listen and help when you need us. You have found a truly great bunch of women and men here, we understand like no one else because we are going though exactly what you are.