Unconditional Love

Today I am faced with a bit of a catch 22. I love my husband. My experiences as an alcoholic gives me unparallelled compassion for his situation. I want to help him, support him and care for him as I promised when I married him. This however, places me at a place where the only way to do these things is to do something perceived as a hateful thing to do. I have to let him go. I don't want to. I don't need to (not that much, I'll probably be okay in time), but I have to. I know that if I let him stay it would be so easy to go back to his old ways. I should have left 3 years ago, but no crying over spilled milk. I have the opportunity to make things different now.
Why do we love our alcoholic spouses so much? Even when we have received no benefit, felt unloved, where abused, emotionally marred to point where we do not recognize ourselves, we still love. Why? I was brought up to "turn the other cheek" according to my religion. Yet my mother always preached that we should never allow anyone to turn us into dependents (she should have added anything...). I know that I deserve a sober, fulfilled life, some serenity and the occasional peace. I know I have something to give to this life. A part to play. But so does my husband. As much as I want to be part of his life, I cannot be in the way of him doing his part. We have been so bad for each other. I know I have to do things differently this time, but that makes my love feel so conditional.
I know that in time he will thank me. I know I am doing the right thing allowing him to life his own life. Even though he does not perceive it as an opportunity right now, it might just be the moment that changed his life.
Knowing things and doing things are so much different. It's so easy to do something you know you shouldn't, but bordering impossible to do something you should/have to.
I choose to be brave.