Hi everyone...
I know this might also be eligible for the Broken Hearts Section, but I really hope to get the views and advice of women, especially young women.
First of all, I am a significantly older man, 54, but also an artist in good shape and hang with many younger friends including a few women. One year ago this week -- in advance of going back to school for a graduate degree -- I took a seasonal internship at a National Park and was teamed with what seemed like a slightly quirky, often loud and funny young woman who I eventually found also had a deeply intense quiet side. It didn't take long to like her, and I soon learned she had "been in love three times" but no one ever reciprocated. In any case, I treated her with immense respect and friendly affection since we got to laugh and work alone together almost exclusively.
We were relatively isolated and some unfortunate things happened regarding a Ranger harrassing her, and I soon found myself extremely protective of her. This led almost immmediately to her nuzzling against me one night as I tried to sleep, and to make a long story short, eventually I kissed her one night after she really made me laugh and we soon hooked up and went to bed together. It lasted for one month until the end of our term, but I really was drawn to her and found myself falling in love.
In an amazing and lightening fast series of events, I suddenly found myself applying to her school and her department at her advice, and was accepted and arrived at the school the day before classes began... so of course she let me move in her place in my own room at a great rent.
Our affair started up again soon after but I rarely slept with her and soon found that her "almost a virgin", "almost in love" stories were basically untrue, and she had been with quite a few men and at least one woman (in a very serious and intense relationship), and we soon were doing most everything in bed. But she limited our exposure and soon I found a bit of resentment growing in me. Remember, I am 54 and she 28 ---but a VERY mature and intelligent 28.
And yet I was totally, head over heels in love with her. She was the smartest, sharpest, most intriguing woman I had ever met... always thinking and observing, instead of talking, yet also fun, funny, very eclectic, an amazing writer, incredible linguist, just a super-smart human who reads incessantly yet also could be the hottest girl of a get-together. And we laughed together a lot, and continued to have great sex. I believe she really liked the fact that I always supported her dreams and ambitions and encouraged her constantly to not hold back from what she wanted... I really wanted the best for her.
The limitations she put on our relationship led to some arguements, and I eventually found they were a deliberate suppressing of it by her since, although she "loved" me, she was not in love enough to not feel I was to old to marry her and have children with her eventually. I was deeply hurt, and yet we cared enough to go on and eventually for the last six weeks of the term we were super close and spent all of our free time together... and this young woman who claimed she only cried three times in her life cried deeply and sobbed for about twenty days of those six weeks over us.
As for me, I begged her to consider a life with us together, but free, loose, explorative, adventurous, etc. I told her I had lived long enough to realize that -- ultimately -- an incredible partner is worth more than any job or ambition.
And yet, it was her decision to separate, which came breaking our hearts -- clearly mine more than hers -- but in any case when it came time for the good-byes she did not change her mind... she stuck to her decision and we have now parts, and I am truly in anguish... heartsick, miserable, lost, and unable to see any future beyond work.
I need to note that she apparently had never kept ANY lover for more than about ten months -- more their choice than hers, according to her -- and that ours was likely her longest relationship. She loves her alone time almost as much as being with vital people.
I'd like to get opinions from other young and older women on many things, but especially (1) is there ANY chance she could change her mind as time moves by and she perhaps remembers what I offered her (and here its important to note she had had another older man - another ranger - as a serious lover, so I was not just an oddity. Also, she loved her older female love, but was okay breaking up with her -- despite loving her -- because publicly being a lesbian did not appeal to her). In other words., CAN I GET HER BACK???
(2) I contacted her to pick up the car and some stuff I left there at her apartment in the college town we studied in. I asked if she would let me stay with her a couple of weeks to do so but also to spend one last two-week period with her before we both left for jobs and new places. She says she feels we "already went through the pain of separation" and therefore is leaning towards it being a "bad idea". I just want it as easier transition and closure if we are to be apart, but would also of course love to see her. Is there ANYthing I can do or say to convince her...?
And, (3) How can I ever move on without being haunted by my love for this amazing, sexy, and unique human being?