Good and valid points Samsara. I agree with a lot of what you have written.

Personally though, the one differring thought I do have is that I believe "it is better to have loved than not loved at all"....giving and receiving love is a wonderful thing. I do not however encourage staying in a relationship where you are not treated with respect nor have any of your needs met. If someone truely loved you they would not treat you like a doormat unless they have a really warped way of showing it.