Don't take him back...he needs to understand that he can't just decided he wants you back when he realize that it is not as easy as he thought to find someone better. No matter what a man says that is the whole purpose of breaking up with us to find someone better and it backfires everytime. Think about it why would you break up with someone if they made you happy and the two of you got along fine? If you do take him back expect that this time won't go very well, but in case he really has changed stay the same and truely forgive him so this time around will be even better.

Bug, this is how I see it. Have you ever been involved with someone who you felt connections at alot of levels, admired them, had fun with them, enjoyed them but at some level for whatever personal reason you had, you could not be with them for the ltr? It can be anything from they drink too much or age difference or maybe you are still in love with someone else. I see it as that situation, he will not be settling for less with someone else because he either is already in love with someone else or he has another reason for your not being the one. He is showing you with the gift, that although you are not the one, he appreciated, admired, enjoyed you at so many levels that you made an imprint in his life. It is a compliment even if it is not all. JMO

It may be selfish on his part. He doesn't totally want to let go. Keeps you dangling on a line. Sometimes people just don't know what they want. However, they do know, they can't live without you in their life in some form or fashion.

Sounds like you still have feelings for him...why not pursue getting back?

He needs to understand what commitment is though. But if you really care for him, give it another shot....good luck!!

I did not call him Paul and won't. I never have and never will beg for the attentions of others. It gets old...giving your all, your best, only to have it thrown back in your face. His loss!

I guess my main thought for posting was to inquire why, if everything was so good on ALL levels, would someone just toss a relationship?

He did say he felt like we were becoming a 'couple'...we had both said we were looking for a LTR = being a couple...isn't that the outcome one strives for in a LTR?

Why would someone toss a relationship that was good on all levels? Wish I knew the answer to that one. Same thing happened to me Shutter.
However, you haven't been apart long, and perhaps things happened fast for him and he didn't know how to handle it and ran away. Seems to me he's extending an olive branch. The gift he gave you was thoughtful and personal...not something just randomly picked up in a store. Why would a guy do something so thoughtful if he was just playing games? I would be cautious...but wouldn't write him off yet.