Hey, Evie. I don't think you have been replaced by OW. How could you be? Really. You are offering depth and commitment and unconditional love. If he is still seeing her, it is just a cheap high.
I like the kind of wording lwb suggested - I think it is important not to get into a right/wrong kind of response. I wouldn't acknowledge all of the negativity in his email - you can deal with that later. So - I wouldn't say, "yes we got boring, but that was b/c of all of these responsibilities." I would just thank him for sharing his thoughts, say that I understand/share his pain over where things are now, and believe that families can (have) overcome much bigger challenges than these and heal to be stronger than before. I really like the part in lwb's suggestion about not wanting to dwell on the past, but focus on the present.
I don't know what a dobson letter is?
me: 47 H: 48 he has 2 grown sons M 1995(my 1st, his 3rd) hit iceberg 6/07 S 9/26/07 before now