What changes?

They were in college
They were in love
They knew each other
They cared a lot

Three years went by,
the best of their lives
Mutual respect and care
was no suprise.

Then came the day
they parted their way
Different priorities
were at stake.

In touch since then,
they've lived separate lives
She had her home
He had his wife

Time changed it all
thats what they claim
But somehow the respect
was still the same

What is it then,
that time did change
if respect and care
was just the same?