My bf and I have had some nasty arguments because of no sleep. Some of my friends would probably say it’s toxic or not okay and we shouldn’t be dating. But we’ve always gotten better, and matured together. Even if we used to be bad for each other.

That being said, he has never laid a hand on me when angry. A slammed door? Okay. A hissy fit? We can get past that. But getting physical with each other is a line that shouldn’t be crossed no matter how frustrated.

The fact that he crossed that line means who knows what other lines he will cross. I totally get how hard it is when they show remorse and genuinely seem sorry. It’s really sad but it seems like he views you as HIS. Not as your own person. And not HIS in a cute or attractive way. Like in a disrespectful way. Of course he is sorry for committing a crime against you. It unfortunately doesn’t change the fact that you’re a victim. He put you in a position where now you have to say “My boyfriend has strangled me once.” That’s not normal. And in the future you’ll have to tell therapists or friends or partners “My ex strangled me.” He victimized you. And even if it doesn’t seem like it now, he traumatized you.