I've been reading plenty of forums about "space" but I feel the need to explain my situation.

So my girlfriend and I have been dating for about 3 years. In the beginning, she wasn't always sure if she wanted a boyfriend so we kind of went up and down for a while. After we got "settled" we were all good and have been. I've taken "breaks" from her before.. maybe 3-4 weeks and it worked out great. I felt kind of smothered and just needed to make sure if it was right.

So in the past few weeks she has been somewhat distant.. we still kiss and hang out but she hasn't been in the mood for sexual things. So the other day we are at a friends house and her friends are leaving for another place, and she wants to go. But she tells them she can't because she thinks I'll be unhappy about it. She never really asked me in the first place. I'm saying this because my GF told me she feels like she needs to build up her friendships with some girls who were there and then not there (btw, I am not controlling--we do not hang out every single day like some couples. I take her home from school and we hang out at least one day on the weekend. I had nothing to do with her ty friends)

But anyway, she tells me she feels like she needs some alone time and space. Of course, I'm really upset and confused and overall, shocked. So we talk and talk and she tells me she just feels like "she doesn't want to be in a relationship as of right now and we should take a serious break."

I have been giving her space. No talking, texting, anything. It's been really tough but it's getting easier... I guess my question is.. will she come back? Does she miss me? How do I know if she misses me?

She is so good at hiding her emotions but I know she is hurting.

Also, she comes from a very broken family. She doesn't live at home and I've always been her sort of "comfort zone" and her familiar setting. So I am kind of hoping that she will go out this weekend and there will be this void, something missing, and she will realize it's me.

Lastly, she is a very emotional person. She doesn't really think very logically or rationally all the time. I think her hormones (birth control, period) were really messing with her sex drive and she kind of took it the wrong way.. like, "does it mean I'm not into it anymore?" and then I think her friends kind of got her thinking like "hm..i kind of want to see what's it like not to have to deal with a relationship.."

I may be trying to rationalize something that is the complete opposite, but I'm going crazy. I need to know.

Any advice, comments, similar stories would be appreciated. Thank you for reading..

She wants space, give it to her, and make sure you have your own life that you enjoy, doing things that make you happy, without her in your life. Can't say what she will do, but I can tell you what you should be doing, for yourself.

She wants space, give it to her, and make sure you have your own life that you enjoy, doing things that make you happy, without her in your life. Can't say what she will do, but I can tell you what you should be doing, for yourself.

I'm trying. I really am. The waiting is honestly the hardest part. It has been the longest week of my life without a doubt..

I have been giving her space. No talking, texting, anything. It's been really tough but it's getting easier... I guess my question is.. will she come back? Does she miss me? How do I know if she misses me?

All the guessing in the world isn't going to change the fact that you are broken up.You can call it *on a break* if that makes it easier to swallow but essentially it is a break up.

If you have been together 3 yrs. And are still in school than you must be quite young to be in such a committed relationship.

I married my high school sweetheart at 18 and by 19 I was done with marriage.Simply because we were too young and we never experienced being with other people.

My point is,see this as an opportunity to experience your life as a single teen.Go out ,have some fun and leave the serious romance for when you are older.

She will never forget you and she will always have love in her heart for you.Leave it at that.Maybe someday down the road when you are not so emotionally involved,you can be friends.

We are both 18. Seniors in high school.

She was the one who called it a "serious" break... I guess the only reason I have hope is because I am this comfort zone for her crazy, chaotic life she has with her family.. and I'm hoping that she feels that emptiness this weekend, wherever she is.

I'm in the NC phase and I keep reading that the less I do, the more I'm actually doing but it's kind of hard to.. believe in that? I don't know. I'm just rambling now. Thanks for the responses.

The thing that's always interesting about relationships is the red flags we choose to IGNORE.

The first sentence you wrote was: "So my girlfriend and I have been dating for about 3 years. In the beginning, she wasn't always sure if she wanted a boyfriend...."

She still isn't.

BACK OFF 100%. In fact, let her NOT have a boyfriend for at least a few months. Anything else, she will hold against you. Do not bug her. And move on. She needs to get herself together without your help.

You are to used to being the shoulder to lean on rather than the man to dream of. She is not ready for you... I would seriously consider finding a girl who IS.

A