I've been through this. My partner and I were about 5 years into our relationship, had been living together for 2 years, and, I don't know, we both needed to grow a lot. He basically was having a break down because he was realizing how much the world sucks, and that all the pretty ideals he'd been raised to believe in aren't actually followed by people who claim to follow them. His childlike naivety/innocence was dying and he didn't know how to handle it. He kind of went on a spiral, and it was almost impossible to deal with, but I was signed up for the long haul.

He said he loved me, but we needed to be apart. I fought it as hard as I could, but eventually I had to agree to let him go.

We'd been dating since we were teens, and we were then young adults just out of college.

He went off and figured himself out, I went off and took some risks that weren't as great, we both grew a TON, and he realized what he'd thrown away. A year after our separation, we met up, talked about things. Stuff felt different, right, like we were clicking all over again. Never once in our separation did I think of him as anything but my soul mate. The entire time apart we were both yearning for each other.

After a couple of weeks of talking things out, seeing where each other was, we decided to get back together, and we haven't looked back since.

The relationship is perfect now. Previously our communication was like pulling teeth, and now it's like a well oiled machine. We understand each other, talk to each other, work with each other. He is completely devoted and he shows it in every action. The break up sucked, and I personally don't think we needed it, but it forced us to grow past some things that were holding us back. We've been together 13 years now and have pretty much the most stable and loving relationship in our social circle.

I know this isn't the usual way this kind of story goes, and it may not be the case for you either, but who knows. All I can say is, be good to each other. If you really care for each other, then through this process do not be spiteful or hurtful, even when you are hurt. We always, ALWAYS, were kind and gentle to each other, never did anything intending to harm, and we were honest with each other at every step. You can see how much a person loves you, and how much you love a person, by how you treat them and are treated by them even in the most difficult of times. Keep that in mind as you go forward.

Good luck!