My goodness, CW; this looks like a pattern of a sort.
It is possible from what you're describing that he has tried to go in several times, and ended up "running back out" without completing the journey/crisis, and this last time was when it overran or overwhelmed him; forcing him in.
There is no telling. I know a major life change can cause them to go in; such as death, losing a job, something major that affected him.
Food for thought, here:
Some people start in, then back off, due to pressures of their spouses, and themselves fighting the change, managing to put it "on hold" for an indefinite amount of time and other circumstances that can contribute to not going properly through. But, there comes a time when it will NOT be denied, and it catches up with them; this emotional change will NOT back off, it demands to be dealt with. There are also some that go through, don't learn, and recycle, dragging their spouses with them each time they do.
It comes for all between the ages of 35 and 55, sometimes a little earlier, sometimes a little later.
It is helpful to know when, just so you will know for yourself....I had a need for understanding as many aspects of this as I could when I was writing all the 'books', and I included many different things.
Nothing really jumps out at me as the "beginning"..looks more like the pattern I outlined above about hopping in and out, until it catches them..
The journey you need to take to find yourself, is STILL important to you; as well. Do what you can to get the focus off of where he is and get it on YOU; when he set you on this path..he made this not only about him, but also about YOU.
Leave me your link, if you think about it, CW, so I can find you; You two, Flowmom, if you read this.
Keep me posted.
Remember, as each person is different, every MLC/Transition is different..what works for one may not work for another. Most of the time it is trial and error for ALL involved.
