DEAR ABBY: I have had an on-again, off-again relationship with this guy, "Dustin," for more than five years. We are now "off" again, but I can't stop thinking about him.
I dream about Dustin quite often. It was my decision to end the relationship because I was tired of wasting my time. We get along well, but he lies and cheats. He calls and hangs up and texts me periodically, but I haven't spoken with him in more than two months.
I love Dustin dearly, and the love I feel for him never changes. Even though I am living without him, I can't help but wonder if he is really my soul mate. Is there really such a thing as a soul mate? -- LOST IN LOVE IN RIVERDALE, ILL.
DEAR LOST: The American Heritage College Dictionary (Fourth Edition) defines "soul mate" as "one of two persons compatible with each other in disposition, point of view or sensitivity" -- and, yes, there really is such a thing.
However, from your description of the way Dustin has treated you, this man is decidedly not it. Because you can't get him out of your head, Dustin qualifies as your obsession, not your soul mate.