Well, going back to my first post here and what you've said of him so far, he sounds like a very understanding and supportive guy. So I'm sure he understands you need time and if he's half as wonderful as you make him out to be, then he won't try and force or push you into anything you're not comfortable with. Heck, if this guy is in somewhat the same situation as I am (which it sounds like), then he's probably afraid of all the mistakes he's sure to make, but the bond that's already there is strong enough to overcome that.
Here's an interesting quote:
A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we're pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we're safe in our own paradise. Our soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we're two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we've found the right person. Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life.
--Richard Bach, The Bridge Across Forever
I think the hardest thing about this maybe isn't finding the person who has the right keys and who you've got the right keys for, but finding them at a time when we're both going in the same direction.
Here's my biggest hope though - that even if this guy wants to make you happy more than anything in the world, that he recognizes that if it means true happiness for you in the end, maybe he can't be together with you in the way he wants right now. I know from experience that that is a very hard thing to swallow as a guy, but if you're always going to be there for each other anyway, then it's not quite as traumatic as it first appears to be. And there is something to be said for the "meant to be" school of thought.
Well...I'm writing a novella now. Anyway, best of luck to you Pease. Even if you need lots of time, this guy sounds like he's going to be there for you no matter what.
men
