Emotional Infidelity...?

[CellarDweller]

I can see both sides of this discussion.

No, you shouldn't give up a great friend to satisfy your partner. Good friends can be very hard to find, so be glad that you have him.

However, you did say that you felt "understood" by your friend. Does this mean you don't feel understood by your partner? Do you feel that you are getting something from your friend that you are not from your partner?

The two of you need to talk. Let him talk about why this bothers him so much. Ask him questions about it that he can't answer with just a 'yes' or 'no' so that you get a complete picture. Then, let him know why this friendship is important to you, and perhaps you'll see some changes in your partner as well.