My [25M] girlfriend [25F] is moving out and not breaking up

My girlfriend and I have been together for 2 years. From day one we were living together, not by choice, but by situation. We knew each other as friends first (roughly 4 years) and had mutual friends. She supported me while I got my feet on the ground. Once my business was built, we split everything.

We had a great first few months until we both rented a new apartment together. My job brought a lot of stress home and between the both of us we had troubles not escalating arguments. I've changed jobs, and its helped. She quit her job 10 months ago with no interest in finding another one, which I'm supportive of while she figures herself out. We sold her car together and now share my car. She has applied to a few places, in a different industry, and got a job at a coffee shop, but there was too much moral conflict. I have not been helping our situation by stressing out about finances. We tried couples therapy, but the therapist wasn't great. Were both interested in another therapist, but not immediately. I'm in my own therapy and it's great for me.

Now, her grandparents have become sick and her father runs two farms. One with cattle and the other with horses. We know he's struggling handling it alone being in his 60's. She sat me down and had a conversation regarding moving in with them on her own accord to help with chores and change their diet. I was emotional at first, but have ended up supporting her since my initial reaction. She has never given me a reason to doubt her or question her. She mentioned early in the relationship that "If there were no chance I wanted to get married to you, I will end the relationship so as not to string you on." She has never cheated, nor has any red flags. We are both monogamous and always have been.

We have been arguing for the last few months since the conversation, and I'm sure its hastened her leaving. I helped her get her essentials over to the house on Saturday and we had intimate moments (hand holding, kissing, etc). I'm taking care of her dog while she puppy-proofs the house. We have been texting lightly since her leave. Something she said to me before dropping her off was "If I wanted to hang out with her I'd have to 'kidnap' her from her chores and take her to the city or set up a date." So I did just that today, and showed up unannounced with a few items she forgot.. I see how it came across.. Her living over an hour away. Oof. We kissed and talked, but she was busy with chores.. She said she needed space, which struck me as crazy because that's not how she's been reinforcing this move to me as. I apologized for showing up spontaneously and haven't said anything since. I'm going to give her the space she needs until the weekend when we see each other again.

We've had great times where we've talked about kids and marriage and living on her property one day. And we've had troubled times before, but during those times we actually did break up. She has not said anything like that during this leave. We still love each other, but lately we've had trouble liking each other.

I feel like I'm in limbo, and don't know whether to stay loyal and loving with faith on my side, or take a step back and reevaluate the situation. I can't help but feel hurt. What are your experiences with relationships taking a "step back" from living together?

tl;dr - Been together 2 years living together the whole time. I'm stressed from handling everything financially. Her grandparents are sick and she's moving in with them to help.

Posted Jun 4, 2019, 3:19 PM UTC

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