Step 3: Have a good support group!

I don't know that I could have started over in the way that I have without my amazing support group.  Having support when you are going through major life changes is an absolute necessity!
There are several classifications of support.  They are as follows.

1. Family
I have one of the most amazing families on the planet.  My parents have been more than supportive of all of my decisions in my life.  When I told them I was going to separate from *Gabe, they asked what they needed to do, if I wanted them there, etc.  Then when I asked to come home, they were more than helpful and supportive. They have helped me in every way, shape, and form humanly possible.  One night I was having a really rough night, it was like midnight or so, and I heard someone awake upstairs. I sent a text to my mom's phone, and thankfully she was the one up. I asked her to come downstairs and talk with me, and she came right down, and talked for a little over a half an hour.  She stayed up to help me work through it. I am truly blessed to have the family I do.
My older brother and his family live over 6,000 miles away, and they are still there to support me.  My sister in law sent me the most beautiful message the day I separated from Gabe. I would share it if it weren't so personal and special to me.  She just really helped me have hope in my future. She is amazing. I can't wait to go and see them soon.
My little brother has really become my buddy.  We drove together on a family road trip, we go to movies together, and we just hang out and talk.  It's great to have him around. He helps me chill out when I don't know how to sometimes.

2. Besties
So, I am blessed to have several besties in my life.  These are listed in no particular order, because they are all equally important to me.
Reggie is the person that became my refuge the first couple of months. Any time I was feeling alone, or that I needed to get out of my house, he was someone that I could call, and he would drop everything and spend time with me. We did a lot of watching movies, and eating out, and just chilling.  It was really what I needed.
Carrie was my voice of reason.  She was one of the people that helped me have the courage to leave Gabe. She always told me that I deserved better, and she always makes me feel amazing.  I feel as if her family has taken me in as one of their own.  We all had a girls night together, and it was a blast!
Amber was my hope.  She had remained single all of these years, and recently got engaged to a wonderful man.  She has helped me have hope that I won't be the crazy cat lady in whatever neighborhood that I ended up in.  She has helped me stay busy as well as she has been planning her wedding, and we have had maid of honor dress shopping trips and girls nights.
Kristin has been my late night correspondent. She is up late like me, and I don't feel bad messaging her or talking with her late at night.  I don't know what I would have done without her some nights.

3. Close Friends
I have several other close friends that I can confide in as needed as well.  There are too many to list them specifically, but they know who they are.  They help me get out of my own head, and get out of the house, and I love them all for it.

4. New Friends
As Gabe and I spent more time apart, I have made some wonderful new friends.  Some of them have been through divorces themselves, and others have just been great crying shoulders and listening ears.  They also help me have a new life and they enjoy the same things as me, so that is super helpful. Again, they know who they are, so I won't list their names.

5. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (Or whatever higher power you may believe in)
I know without a shadow of a doubt that I would still be in my marriage with Gabe had it not been for my Father in Heaven letting me know that it was time to leave.  Without my religion to lean on, I would be totally and completely lost, and most likely miserable.  I know that my faith has helped me stay positive and find the happiness that I can have. My religion has always been a constant for me in my life, and I love being a part of my faith.

Needless to say, my support group is vast, and I value each and every one of them!  I don't know what I would do without them.  Build your own support group in your life.  We all need them whether we are happy, sad, or just changing things up.

~Shae~