We broke up over canning sauerkraut (which turned out great, by the way). I pretty sure this is just a "break." We need some space, both of us. He’s sure it’s forever. He says he’s all or nothing, but I haven’t found that to be the case in the past. I just don’t see how either one of us would ever make it through the holidays without trying to start things up again. When your life is this intertwined, it’s nearly impossible to break up. This relationship has always been such a challenge. We love the companionship. I mean we both really do. We are lonely without each other–neither one of us is any good making friends, and the loneliness is very real. So why not just be together, right? That said, a distant future together seems so…unlikely.