I don't think that this is what TrueGritter is talking about. He is talking about learning what unconditional love is. Please correct me if I'm wrong Grit.
The way that I look at it is this. We love our children even though they sometimes throw fits, don't listen to us, make poor choices, get into trouble, and sometimes disappoint us bc they don't do what WE want them to do. We love them unconditionally.
The question is, do we love our spouses in the same way?
Do we love them only when they choose to love us back?
Do we love them only when they choose actions that we agree with or that also make US happy?
I struggle with this too. And if my W and I don't reconcile and she moves on with her life, there will be anger and resentment on my part. But those are personal and selfish emotions. Nothing wrong with having them, but let's call them what they are. They will pass eventually. And eventually, I will be able to recognize the love that I still have for my W. It won't be an 'in love' type of love if that makes sense. But I will still love her and wish her all the happiness in the world.
This is a true giving of love... I know that it is how I wish to be loved, so why not choose to give that kind of love?
BITS Denver
M 43 X 38 T 13 W moves out of home 11/2010 Roller coaster from hell 2/2011-5/2012 I request divorce 5/2012 W moves home 6/2012 Good time 7/2012 - 1/2015 I leave 3/2016 process of divorce