Brand new to the forums--there is a wealth of info out there! Here's the short version of my story:

Boyfriend and I have been dating for four years...we've lived together 2 years. Within the last 4 months or so we've hit some sour times. When he spent a lot of the evening this past Monday texting on the phone, when it was HE who suggested we go watch the football game together, I lost it. (There have been some trust issues in the past, and I know I am insecure about our relationship...)

Anyway, when I got angry about all the texting, and lack of attention he was giving me on our "date", he lost it as well. One thing lead to another and his truck was packed up with almost all his clothes...

It was a hasty move--a very emotionally charged move. He ended up sleeping on the couch in our office, while I slept on the couch downstairs. We talked the next morning--we both apologized, we both admitted we still love each other. But we decided we needed a break from each other.

So, we are going through a trial separation. We need to get back to being best friends. We need to appreciate each other more, and recognize just how important we are to each other.

SO...my question is: how do we handle our separation? Go our separate ways for a little while, and try and start "dating" again? He moved out Tuesday, and we have talked on the phone at least twice a day since then, as well as numerous texts. With his work schedule I don't call him---he calls me everytime. Are we going about this the wrong way? A girlfriend suggested we not talk to each other for about 2 weeks--it's a good cool down time, as well as time for both of us to think clearly without the other around. But my boyfriend thinks it's great that in spite of our issues, we WANT to keep in communication---why take that away from us?

I am clueless. I was married once before, it was a wonderful relationship, but he passed away 7 years ago. I've never done the separation thing or the divorce thing. (Given the way our lives have intermingled, to go our separate ways for good would be like a divorce). He's been divorced once before...but he wanted out of that relationship. He tells me he doesn't want out of ours, but that we have some issues we both need to work on, and remove our stubbornness.

Is there a best way to deal with a separation?

Sorry for the long post....

KarenG