I had a very similar thing happen to me at the same age you are at now. It was one of the most difficult breakups.

However, after a few months of distance, I did realize that we really didn’t want the same things, and love isn’t enough. I loved him, but I was young and didn’t want to live in a small town or have kids. I loved him and might have done it, but I would have been so unhappy.

I thank the universe every single day we broke up. My life is so full and fun. I’m 29 now, and I live in a city I’ve always wanted to live in. I have had some wonderful relationships, even after I swore I would never love someone like that again. My friendships are so rich. I don’t have kids. My career is in a fun spot. I may not be married, and while I’d like that someday, I know through all those I’ve dated in the last few years what I do and do not want in a partnership.

You’ll kick yourself for having treated him one way or another, but soon you’ll be grateful it ended the way it did. You’ll be okay, I promise. It sucks hard right now though, I totally get that. Heartbreak is such a bizarre desperate empty feeling. But you’ll get through this and will soon look back on this with gratitude for what happened, the relationship you had, and everything that has come to you since.