<human>: My girlfriend [F21] and I [M22] of 4.5  years, spoke the night before about our relationship and where it needs to go. The conversation included me saying that we are where we are, even if the relationship has been a rocky one. I also stated that I would do anything that would help us relieve stress, even if it meant breaking ties for a while. I made it clear that if it was a breakup we tried, to hopefully eventually be closer as a family when we got back together, that I would want the decision to be mutual and not 1 sided. She agreed and since the topic does fly by us.

The thing is, we live together and have a son. So our mutual responsibilities are clear. She goes college, I work. She suggested that if we do a 'breakup thing' she would want us to still be passionate with each other and still do things as if we were a couple. And I like the idea because distance is not what we both want. I wouldn't want to move out because I'd want to be with her and my son.

When it came to talking about being with other people if we 'broke up', she stated she wouldn't feel comfortable, and I stated the same. I said I wouldn't think about being with someone else because since becoming a father, my view on life has dramatically changed. So I dont think that'll be a problem to arise.

Since we keep saying we could break some ties, to hopefully relieve pressure, but still be passionate with each other, what does that make us? In an open relationship? Incompatible? Taking things slower? We both find it hard to contemplate what this could be so I search for an opinion on it.

Can you give me the gist of the text in a nutshell?
<bot>: both me and my girlfriend discuss the idea of breaking up without loosing the passionate side of things or forcing a physical distance. What does that make us?