u/Due_Emotion_8328

​I have been dating this guy for six months, and we love each other very much. He is secure, reassuring, and smart, and he has already introduced me to his family and friends. I have always looked for something serious, so I was transparent about being sterile from day one. He accepted it, at least in theory.

​Today, he asked to talk about it. He told me he realized that he truly sees a future with me, but when he envisions a shared life, the idea of having to opt for surrogacy or adoption bothers him. While I’ve known for years that I would need to use one of these paths to become a mother, this is a new reality for him, and I understand his need to process it. However, he admitted the idea felt "strange" and wasn't sure if it was something he could do.

​I was honest, as usual: I told him that while my love for him has no limit, I cannot continue a relationship that already has an expiry date. He made it clear that he loves me and that the last thing he wants is for us to break up.

​I am lost. I’ve cried all day because this is the first time I’ve found someone I truly love who loves me back in such a vulnerable, secure way. It hurts that my condition makes it hard for him to envision our future. I know he needs time to grieve the life he originally imagined, and I am giving him the space to think.

​What do you think? Does he just need time to process, or was he just sharing passing thoughts? How will I be able to make peace with losing the one man I truly love?

TL;DR: I’ve been dating a wonderful, secure man for 6 months. I’ve been transparent since day one about being sterile, which he initially accepted. However, now that he sees a real future with me, he’s struggling with the reality of needing adoption or surrogacy to have a family. He loves me and doesn't want to break up, but he isn't sure if he can move past this. I told him I can't stay in a relationship with an "expiry date." How can I make peace with this situation?