<human>: M/26, F/25. We dated when we were 20 for about seven months.  Its silly, and I came up with a lot of reasons why we broke up, but it all comes down to the idea that I could not handle the idea of being a father. I like to think that a large part of it was that I was still reeling from my mother's death from cancer, and that I was a terrible alcoholic at the time, but nothing excuses breaking up with her through a shitty text message.

Over the past couple of years, we've reconnected even though we live across the country from each other, and we speak every couple of days.  She's been a big proponent for me to pursue the things that I love (so far, which have included the Army, running my own photography business, continuing with a full-time Department of Defense contract as an IT technician, working at the bar I frequent as a DJ/bartender, and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity).  

I know that r/relationships is really meant for people looking for advice with troubles regarding their relationships, but the way I feel is too significant to not tell anyone.

I'm leaving for a deployment soon, and she's currently dating some guy.  I guess he treats her okay, however, in our past talks, it seems as though she's completely unsure of whether or not that guy is for her.  I do not want to say that I am somehow better than he is, but I hope she makes a decision that ultimately makes her happy, regardless of my involvement in it.  I'll get by one way or the other, but I really do hope its me.

Provide a brief overview of the text.
<bot>: The takeaway is that sometimes, time away from a person is everything you need to realize that they were always the woman/man that you needed.