I only recently realized that I have intimacy problems and ten had another realization around what a loveless childhood I'd had, how I literally never saw my parents display a single moment of intimacy or affection for one another.

I hadn't realized how toxic this was until I examined it at my therapist's last week. What a crushing, devastating moment that was. How was I ever supposed to formulate a loving relationship in adulthood when I had absolutely nothing to work with? I've been inventing love as I went along, using my limited experience in this area, usually badly.

And I've had problems with every romantic attachment I've ever entered into. They start out well but eventually I find myself shutting down my and distancing myself from my partner. It's destroyed one good marriage and another incredibly meaningful relationship.

I have to find a way to stop this. I want to so badly. I'm a passionate, loving, gentle man who loves love. Does anyone have advice?