Dear Isra:

Still impressed by you, by your good thinking, maturity and I am impressed by your boyfriend’s participation in the exchange you described. Congratulations for bringing up the topic, finally.

Obviously you are emotionally attached to him- this is evident. This is why you cried and then felt calmer when he hugged you. And obviously, he is emotionally attached to you. There is also mutual respect between the two of you, honestly and no manipulative talk/ behavior I could detect.

I think the best thing for you to do is, now that you started the conversation, keep it going. Don’t go back to being alone with your conflicting feelings/ thinking- keep talking to him. Let him comfort you when you are distressed and comfort him when he is distressed. Have your own- and his best interest in mind- make it a Win-Win relationship. If you have to lose so to make it a win for him, it would be a Lose-Win Relationship for a while before it becomes a Lose-Lose. If in the future you decide to end the relationship, and you feel confident that it is the right choice for you, then it will be a Win for him too, in the long run, following the initial pain.

You decided to keep the relationship going. For the benefit of the two of you and of the relationship, keep communicating, keep the communication open on both sides. This is the best way to go. Post anytime.

anita