I'm going to give a little back story here. I'm American and my boyfriend is first generation Russian-American. We have been together for four years now with our bumps along the road and two times that we have broken up for a period of 2-4 months. About a year ago was the worst. I had been struggling to find a job and was depressed. I wasn't maintaining myself, applying myself in the relationship, looking at my goals for the future, or considering the burden I had essentially become to him. Lo and behold, after two weeks of minimal contact and me absolutely freaking out about him (but still not making any headway in my life), he took me to dinner and broke up with me. Boy, was I a mess, especially since he still wanted to be friends. And by friends, well... you ladies know what that means. So! I wallowed in self pity for approximately 24 hours before packing my bags and moving the 3 hours south to be closer to my family. I got a job, started taking better care of myself, started casually dating, the whole nine yards. All the while, he wanted me to come see him and I refused. I told him that if he didn't want to commit, there was no way in hell. It took a while but we met half way, went to dinner, and he saw that I was not an entirely changed woman, but an improved version of myself. He asked me to be his girlfriend 3 hours later. ;) Here comes the plot twist! This month has been absolute hell for my personal life. I popped two tires and bent my rims, $150. I got strep throat $50. I totalled my car $$$$$, fractured a vertebrae $$$$$$$$$ and lost my job. OH! And got my wallet stolen on the bus on my way home from being fired. Now, old me would have freaked out. New and improved me? Well, she asked her man for help and remained calm, cool, and collected. He has towed my car and is assessing damage and figuring out the best financial decision. He is understanding that I'm broke and just surprised me with train tickets so I can come up and see him, all the while telling me everything will be fine and he will help. I always clean his house and cook and do laundry when I'm up there but I am going to surprise my man with a steak dinner (he will barbeque, I'm hopeless...), home made cake and the best back rub ever. He will awaken the next morning to an immaculate home and a full manly breakfast. I love him so much, and have had so many feminists criticize me for being "subservient". I have my roles to fill, and he has his as my Captain. So, while this has been the worst month on record for me, I can remain positive that I have a man who loves me and will help me in what ways he can.