In love with a man who doesn't believe in marriage

DEAR AMY: I recently left my husband for a wonderful man whom I love deeply. He makes me feel things my husband never did and has helped me awaken from what I now think was a deep depression. With his encouragement, I am striving to try and achieve new things that I'd previously only dreamed of doing. Going into this relationship, I knew that the relationship would have some limitations. My boyfriend does not believe in marriage. Further, he has told me he would not live with me in the future so as to not set a poor example for my daughter. I have agreed to these terms and am willing to accept them. My ex and I are still going through the legal divorce. As such, my boyfriend has refused to introduce me to his family. Nor will he allow me to introduce him to my daughter. I'm starting to question what he really wants from this relationship. He assures me that introductions will be made once the legal stuff is done.

Have I made a mistake in accepting this part-time agreement? Is he just taking advantage of me?

--Worried

DEAR WORRIED: While your guy doesn't believe in marriage, evidently he very much believes in divorce.

Either he is being wise and cautious - or he is controlling you by dictating the terms of the relationship.

Based on what you say about yourself and what sounds like your streak of impetuosity, my take is that he is trying to force you to take responsibility for your choice to leave your husband, without dangling marriage or even togetherness as an incentive.

Either that, or he has a wife and children squirreled away and he's not available for a full-time commitment to you.

Because you've agreed to these terms, you'll have to see if your guy is true to his word. At best, you can expect to have a relationship with someone who will neither marry nor live with you.