He came back too soon but did not truly cut off contact, so now we have a "thorn" here which I am still dealing with.
A really helpful book on this subject is "Getting Back Together." It explains how useful (and healthy!) separation can be, and it does explain how important it is for separation to be "long enough."
Before my husband's affair and filing of divorce, he would get upset, move out and I'd very quickly beg or lure him back. Looking back I think those 7 or 8 months out there on his own was the best thing that could have happened to both of us.
I'm glad to see Olive's husband moving out prior to the divorce. This way he gets to see what his life will be like before everything is finalized (not that it will stop the D, but it will make it more real).
There is no arriving, ever. It is all a continual becoming.
