Being lonely with a mate present is exponentially worse than being lonely alone. The pure exasperation of reaching out only to be turned away or ignored can cause so much deeper soul wrenching need. Once you've gotten past that and have gone it alone, you're at least partially ready to make changes to remedy the problem.

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As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will. He will be sure to repent - Socrates

Love is not looking in each other's eyes, but looking together in the same direction - Antoine De Saint-Exupery