THE BREAK-UP
2009-11-01
Yesterday, Claire and I broke up.
We've had several rough months, and several even rougher weeks, and this
seemed to be the best solution to a variety of difficulties we've faced
recently. It's hard to answer the question as to whether the split could be
described as mutual, but it can certainly be described as amicable, if that's
enough. If not, then perhaps it might help to understand that we're both,
little doubt, unhappy, but that it's better to end things now in a friendly
way than, say, in six months time in an unfriendly way.
I'm sure that neither of us want to go in depth into the issues behind this
break-up in the public forum, but I'm sure that those of you who are our
friends are more than welcome to ask privately, "what happened?" I apologise
to everybody for whom this comes as a shock (i.e. most of you, from what I
gather).
I've no doubt that Claire and I will continue to be close friends and will
kick arse in all the fabulous ways that you're used to, whether in one
another's company or apart. And I expect I speak for both of us when I say
that there's a slap on the wrist waiting for anybody we catch "taking sides":
there are no sides to be taken.
Virgil wrote that omnia vincit amor - love conquers all - but he was wrong.
Despite our love for one another, if Claire and I had carried on the way we
were, people would have ended up hurt. I'm feeling drained and miserable, but
it'll pass, and all will be well again. For a quarter of my life thus far I've
been Claire's, and she's been mine, and through one another we've done so
much. For the last seven and a half years I've been thankful for the great
richness of experience that my relationship with Claire has brought. There
will always be a special place in my heart for her.
Thanks for reading. I think I shall go and sit quietly for a while, now.
Edit @ 21:20 01-Nov-2009: Claire has a few things to say, too.
LINKS
HTML Claire's weblog
HTML Wikipedia article about Publius Vergilius Maro
HTML Claire writes about our break-up