I am friends with a couple who separated. The wife left, just couldn't stand living with her H anymore and had no way to support her children so she left. She moved out and finally got an apartment. They were apart for about 3 years. I am not sure of the timeframe but they divorced. The H divorced the W. The W started a R with OM. She said after she dated him for a while, she realized that she was still in love with her H. They eventually got remarried. However, she said that they continued to spend time together after a few months of separation. She said it was the time they spent together that was the reason they got back together.

I guess what I am saying is relax and enjoy the time with XW. If you are relaxed, then she might relax and realize what she gave up. This is just MHO.

Everything happens for a reason, maybe Dad needs to find that it isn't better out there, he needs to realize how good he had it here. Maybe he will find God and that is the most important thing when he finds Him he will know he is supposed to come home.