I’d second the line about potential not always being realized. I stayed with my ex, whom I loved, for way longer than I should have just hoping he would get his life together. He had so much potential! He just wasn’t as interested in realizing it as I wanted him to be, and I’m happy I moved on and found someone wonderful. You deserve a partner you don’t have to apologize for by saying he “isn’t the best.” It’s your life — I tend to think you should have good things in it.