Originally Posted by courageouscrane

.... he told me i deserved better than him, that i am in the prime of my family-making years, and i am wasting my time with him.

Fact

....he told me i was his best friend, the love of his life, that he wanted to marry me, have kids, etc. he even has an engagement ring for me.

Manipulation

i have a perhaps naive hope that my leaving will force him to hit rock bottom, clean up, and then some day we can be together.

Fantasy

i do love him, i want to be with him, but i know our relationship is intolerable, and completely dysfunctional at this point.

Fact