Sue Ellen, I know this sounds so feeble but partner actually had no "bad" influences on me, just showed amazing patience when my teenage daughter hated him with a vengeance for coming into our lives (turned around eventually as predicted), supported me during loss of father and sister and I smiled each day at the thought of us together, it was such a warm feeling.

It all sounds too good to be true doesn't it but I'm not a "see things through rose tinted glasses" sort of person - usually very grounded - and it was simply a case of being soulmates. Trying to keep those memories, accept that something diminished on his side and I'll never know the reasons, but really do thank those of you who have shared your own experiences.