I'm only 17 but I think I'm also a hopeless romantic and have been my whole life. Mary, I know exactly what you mean by holding on to a relationship even though it makes you ill. I did the same thing with a girl and I let it completely turn my world upside down. My whole life I've been somewhat reserved socially and haven't really let anyone see the "real" me, but underneath I secretly yearned for complete union with another person, and I'm realizing now that that ideal was a major driving force in my life. Last year I met a girl who seemed willing to really get to know me on a deeper level, and she had a lot of issues that I felt like I could relate to. I ended up trying to give her everything and turning my life upside down to try to fix hers. It got to the point where nothing was sacred in my life, and since then I've just been a complete mess trying to pull myself back together. I'm learning now how important it is that we love and accept ourselves as we are and not let that be subject to anyone else, no matter how close we get to them. I think romantics just have a little harder time letting go. ~Preston