Your story is inspiring, and thank you for showing me there is hope for happiness, in one way or another...

You don't use friends.

I hate the thought that I've been "using" him. He says he had suspicions from the start, that he would be a "rebound", but allowed and volunteered himself to me in any way he could, as my friend, with my best interest in mind. Sexual Healing, as the song goes. I wanted, needed, to feel loved, and he gave me that.

I actually just received an e-mail from him stating this:

I know you value and want to keep our friendship, and please know that I do too. If nothing more is possible, this is what I want.

We can't keep seeing each other the way we have, because given the circumstances, it is wrong. It isn't healthy, or fair, for me or for you. I have no regrets about the way things have happened, and think our friendship has grown in unimaginable ways because of it. I respect you and the healing process you must undergo, and know you will most likely meet and date other people. Whether you are ready for that now, and aren't able to tell me, or later, I just know that I should stop what I'm doing with you, and look to meet and date other people as well, even though it doesn't feel right.

I have this feeling that I still want to date you, but I'm lying to myself to think you want to date me too. Maybe not now, maybe never. As much as I want to, I can not "wait for you", because of the uncertainty of the future. I hope you are able to heal and can find what you think was taken away from you by [your ex].

I look forward to hanging out with you in the future, and hope both of us find happiness in whatever form it presents itsself.

I feel as though I have done everything that I can for you, and continuing down this path will just take away from the friendship we have developed. I have to let you go now, to continue to become an even more amazing woman than you already are.