Welcome, windscape! That's a very encouraging post... thank you for it. I hope it brings comfort to someone.
I have to admit that my dad didn't think my DH was a winner at the beginning. But many years later he admitted to me (and more importantly to DH along with an apology) that he was wrong.
If you don't mind me asking - why aren't you able to step out of the relationship? Do you see yourself with your BF forever? Before DH I had a couple of guys I dated that I didn't want to break up with because they were good boyfriends in some form or fashion. (I wouldn't call any of them losers... but I knew they weren't The One).