Will we forever wonder about what could be if we walk away now?

Your post is a bit all over the place where one second you say you love, respect and admire they other...but then the next you say how much you all are fighting...
I know, eh? I do love, respect and admire him. A few months back I posted about how he's really jealous of my friendship with my daughters father...he still doesn't like it. He's trying to be accepting of it...but then on the other hand, he still goes for lunch with his ex wife (no kids), still hangs out with two of his ex girlfriends...which I don't care about...but I don't like the double standard.

You say you don't mind being alone or single but being without him 'terrifies' you....
Not being without him...not having him be a part of my life. I just picture him in it.
Let me ask a few questions...

Are you still doing things with just your friends, family, and spending time alone? Or is all your time devoted to this guy...
I do. He doesn't. I've been telling him for the last few weeks he needs to go out with friends and have "me time". He does so much for so many people (including me) that I don't think he spends enough time taking care of himself.
What happens during your fights? Do you call each other names? Say hurtful things? End up not speaking for a bit? Or is it just bickering back/forth and they are more just disagreements....
It never resorts to name calling. We don't usually say hurtful things. I think we have discussions...but he calls it fighting. If we have a differing opinion on something, he calls it a fight, even if voices aren't raised. He gets very emotional where as, I do, but not "at" him. We both are oversensitive to criticism so sometimes it feels like (to the other person) we're being attacked when the other person is just expressing an opinion.
The biggest issue I see is that he doesn't 'believe' in counseling....That means he doesn't want to hear...from anyone....that he may not be doing something in the right way or need to tweak some things about himself...
I know. It worries me.

That is a HUGE red flag to me....People who think that they are above getting help...will hold on tooth and nail to being 'right' all the time...
He is always quick to apologize and admit when he was wrong...but he doesn't seem to grow from it.
Counseling does not have to be expensive...There are many that are covered by insurance...as well as others that will let you pay based on your income...
I'll look into it. We're both self employed so no insurance...but I will see if any of it's government funded...but our mental health care system is almost non existent.
There is a happy medium between your last relationship where neither cared to even discuss anything...or this one where you are arguing all the time...

Passion does not equal love and respect....Love and respect for someone means sitting down and talking out your issues....Actually listening to one another...and finding either a compromise to something...or agreeing to disagree....It doesn't sound like you all do this at all...
We try to compromise. We're both self admittedly incredibly stubborn. It's tough.
I personally could not be in a relationship like you describe...life is too short to be arguing about things day after day and having some roller coaster ride or walking on eggshells and not knowing what is going to set someone off...
It's true. It's really hard.
You even put that you don't even sync up on your shared goals....
He's career focused. I'm family focused. He said he would like to get married and have kids, but when we fight so much, it isn't an option.
So....let's recap....the sex is good....and when you aren't fighting...then hanging out is fun....

On the other hand...you fight all the time....he refuses help....and your main goals don't sync up....

It's obviously going to be up to you...but if you all are having this many issues at not even 6 months of dating...it will only get worse as time goes on unless it all changed now....

Not trying to be Debbie Downer....but I just don't see things boding well for the future...

before you do anything, my first suggestion would be to spend less time together. not as in "lets sit down and have a talk and decide together to spend less time together" just do it.

idk you at all, but if it were me in your position i would probably say something like "hey, i'm going to hang out with bambi tonight and watch chick flicks and eat pints of ben and jerrys!" or smth like that... so he knows that its just that you are going to go do your own thing for awhile and nothing about him.
I usually see my family a few times a week and my friends a few times a week. I work from home, so my schedule is flexible enough that I can still see people. We usually meet up at night to spend the last hour of the day together and sleep next to each other.

I replied to Ingy that I think he doesn't take enough time for himself. He works so hard. I think he is burning himself out. I've told him to take more time to himself...but he doesn't.
imo for 6 months in youre spending WAY too much time together and probably not devoting enough to your own interests. it may not help to spend less time together, but its the only suggestion i really have. its impossible to know why you are fighting so much, but it may be because you are just together too much too soon and the fighting is the way that you create distance, since you dont seem to have it otherwise!
I have thought this before but not in such a tangible way. Maybe it is the only way we can get time apart. I will start telling him that I need to work on my blog at night a few times a week so that we can both have more time alone.

Thanks Nanette. I always enjoy reading your advice because I do generally *try* to carry my relationships in a similar manner to the way you do.

it can be the same when you are married: you will still need to carve time out for yourselves. you might be crazy about each other and not want to hurt the other by *asking* for time that you prolly really need to yourselves, separately.

Maybe he's in your life for a reason. You say you and your ex never fought. This guy is teaching you how to be with someone and fight. So, plenty to learn there. You don't have to be with him forever. Just enjoy what is and leave when you're through.

I will disagree with everyone. You don't fight frequently for no reason, or to learn something. You fight because you have major personality/pysche conflicts. Save yourself and him both some time and money, be accountable for your decisions and move on.

Hey!!!...LOL...I didn't agree with anyone else here either....I don't think this sounds like a healthy relationship....to have this much fighting at the beginning of a relationship...or ever....does not bode well at all....