I dated my high school sweetheart for ten years. We met at 15 and broke up at 25. At 25 I was pretty depressed and started group therapy sessions to help me out of my malaise. My life was just not going anywhere. I had two degrees and was still in my hometown, a place that would never support an artist. I met a famous animator at a talk at a museum and somehow summoned the courage to show him my portfolio. He said I should move to LA and that I'd find work easily. I sold my meager possessions and drove out to LA knowing no one. 20 years later I've been working in animation for years, met my husband, have two kids. I loved my ex boyfriend but he never wanted to leave our hometown and family and didn't support my desire to do art and the amount of time I needed to do it. I know how scary it is to leave a relationship you've invested so much in. You are going to be OK. Your whole life stretches before you. Do what makes you happy.