Hey Purgatory, I'm so sorry!! My W had the exact same conversation with me. Unlike you I cried, pleaded and begged so I give you credit for handling yourself so well.
I think the worst thing for me is when she said that she wanted to date other people (can you please give me my heart back when you are through stomping on it?).
You gave me great advice when you said, "You guys were probably friends before lovers, right? So maybe there's a chance that you can be her friend to develop a new understanding of each other and ease back into the 'lover' relationship- just like in the beginning."
I know this is not the answer that either one of us wants right now, but we have to continually remind ourselves that we have a long road ahead of us and this is all going to take much more time than we would like.
Hang in there!
M:(f) 35 W: 45 3 dogs and 2 cats T: 9 years 9/30/11 I love you, but I'm not in love with you OW confirmed 12/23/11