Well, first I'll tell you what he said when I point blank asked him after the fact why he stayed -- he said "because I love you."

Ok, why do *I* think he didn't follow through? I guess I would have to say that he saw that the changes I made were for real and that I was serious about wanting to make our M a better one. I think he saw those months before he left that I was consistent and I didn't lash out in anger. I think he didn't want to D b/c of the boys. I actually got a bill from an L a few months after he left showing he had gone in and talked to a L friend of ours (long story) probably a week or 2 before things consistently were "ok" with us, so I'm assuming that maybe he got a dose of reality at that time too. And, yes, I think he stayed b/c he truly still loves me and appreciated/s that I stood by him and didn't just give up on him and/or our messed up M.

Me: 38
H: 35
S4, S5, S10
Bomb 01/07
Wanted D - nothing would change his mind
Numerous A's prior to D bomb; EA prior/during D bomb
Piecing 04/07
Deployed for a year 05/07
Still Piecing 2010
M 11 yrs 05/10