Hi Chicago1
I don't know how old you are, but I was thinking that, if you were very young when you got together, maybe it became too serious, too soon and your girlfriend has now realised this and feels that she needs to break free of the relationship. This can happen.
You talk about changes being necessary ~ you need to think about how serious these matters are.
Can you get relationship counselling? It might be a good ideas, as you have been together for a fairly long time.
Breaking up is never easy ~ I hope that you can sort it out and that you will both be happy.
