I'm going to play devil's advocate and suggest another scenario that I've considered in the past regarding HD's situation. When I was at one of my low points in this process, I actually started checking out some internet personals in my area. I just browsed out of curiousity. I also checked out the ads placed by women around my age in a pathetic attempt to see how attractive I was compared to the average relationship seeker. One thing I immediately noticed was that a lot of the women in their late 30s IMO weren't really looking for a husband, lover or boyfriend. They were looking for someone to father a child for them.

I guess I thought about this in regards to HD's sich because he met his W through a personal ad. Also, she was older, childless and never married.

It seems like whenever HD and Mrs. HD have a fight, she mentions the children or family as her reason for appreciating the relationship or wanting to preserve it. I think she might want a home in the country because she is in "nesting" mode, not because she is desperate to get away from the ex.

You guys keep mentioning that Mrs. HD wouldn't have made all these sacrifices if she wasn't really invested in her relationship with HD. I think it is possible that motherhood is what she was seeking in the relationship and what she is hoping to preserve in a pristine form by preserving it.

I hope I am wrong. It's quite possible that I am irrationally cynical.

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver