I thought you meant I gained some sort of advantage from the RELATIONSHIP, nit from who I already am. That, i understand - but it's independant of my marriage. Meaning that it's a condition that exists separately, and would persist even if we weren't together. So I'm not sure I understand... just help me connect the dots.

And no, at 17 I was largely emancipated as well. Ten years later, I am a very different person and much more mature. My expectations and how I interact are... different. I don't know how else to say it.