I am currently going through the worst, most heart-wrenching breakup of my life. I hoping that maybe, somewhere, there is the hope of reconciliation. I'm working hard on the issues that drove us apart: depression, anxiety, not understanding love languages. I know this will help me no matter what relationship I'm in next. But I dream so, so much of reconciling with the man I love who loved me with all of his heart--a love I couldn't fully appreciate.
In the meantime, this thread has been helpful and comforting, though I shouldn't spend all this time reading it. I just wanted to add some stories to help those also feeling so, so low.
1) I dated the same guy for 5.5 years, from 18-24 years old. We broke up twice in that period and got back together each time. Now I can say that each reunion was a terrible, terrible idea, borne more of loneliness than anything else. But we did get back together! The eventual final breakup was hard but mutual.
2) I fell head-over-heels in love for a new guy shortly after. We spent 1 blissful year together then each moved to a different country. We tried to keep it going long distance but he broke up with me on Valentine's Day over Skype. I was furious. We spent the next several years being on-again, off-again, until we were finally in the same place and realized it just wasn't right anymore. But then it was much more mutual.
3) My two friends have been together for 9 years. He dumped her in college so he could sleep with one person. She was furious. They got back together and have been going strong ever since.
4) A good friend of mine had a wishy-washy boyfriend who couldn't say I love you, and then moved accross the country and broke up with her. She was devastated. They still continued to Skype every single day and she kept begging. Eventually he decided that yes, they should be together. They are still long-distance and it's rough, but they are together and trying to make it work.