My bf and I are both 18 and have been together since we were both 15. In the beginning of our relationship he had mental issues and struggled with some «trauma» from his ex who was suicidal. I helped him through it all, held him and stroked his hair those nights when he was having breakdowns etc.
A year into the relationship i found out he had cheated on me with his ex in the beginning of our relationship. It broke me and still bothers me to this day. I have no idea who the girl even is, he refuses to talk about her. But I loved him, and I saw a future together so I chose to forgive him. Things moved forward and kept getting better and our love stronger as the months flew by though. Even though we’re young, we started planning our futures somewhat around each other. We even talked about our dream house, kids etc. THEN, a few weeks ago, his cat that he had for a year died. Additionally school was apparently stressful, and he invited me over one friday night just to break up with me.
I thought that was it for me. I know it sounds dramatic, but I have never felt pain like that. It was hard to breathe, my heart hurt more than many of the intense period cramps ive experienced… I had a nervous breakdown and walked in -10 degrees celsius without shoes or a jacket for an hour whilst crying around his neighborhood. Eventually my father came and picked me up.
Then the following day my boyfriend comes back and calls me, telling me he didn’t mean for it to go that way, saying he didn’t mean to break up and had just been stressed and didn’t know how to word what he really wanted to say. I guess «what he really wanted to say» was that he wanted some alone time? Which is totally fine and normal, I have told him I want to be alone multiple times. But as you may imagine, he said what he said, and my trust now is completely broken. I don’t know if it will ever mend.
Now I am seeing all that I dislike about him. The way he talks a little awkwardly as if he’s 80 sometimes, the way he forgets to brush his teeth, the way he never fixes his hair or dresses appropriately. My family is quite «proper» and they have outright judged him for it, but I didn’t care as I loved him. Now I refuse to bring him home to my house, as it feels embarrassing to let him disrespect me like that and my family knowing about it.
I can’t seem to forgive him or rebuild the trust we once had. But though he is a bit immature, he’s a caring and kind person who probably would have my back through life. He holds me, apologizes frequently, makes me breakfast, says he loves me. But now I can’t bear to tell him that I love him back anymore.
Also I can’t imagine living without him in my life. Just typing it out now makes me cry. I felt like I wanted to end it all that night he broke up with me. I have ambitious dreams, I want to be an engineer, and having a good life together with good money is what has motivated me. It feels like, if we’re not together, what am I battling through life for? But I don’t know whether it’s attachment or love anymore. I have no clue what to do. I love him and I do eventually want a family etc. If anybody please has any advice or insight, or similar experiences I desperately need it.