Being a Provider, an intimate, passionate provider, I develop strong lasting bonds with the Gentlemen who I see regularly. One in particular I had grown quite close too. He scheduled to see me sometimes 2-3 times per WEEK and if he could it would have been before work, lunch and after work.  

Wow,
Great thought-provoking post!
I've been in and out of hobby, mostly looking for body-rub than FS, primarily b/c not getting the physical intimacy at home.  Our sex drives have always been very different, and now there have been some physical issues that preclude things.  To complicate matters, I have had some affairs in the past, but confessed to them.
I'm nearly 50 (damn that's a big number) and part of me thinks I need to grow up and "grow out" of the hobby.  However, clearly I am getting something that I need and not getting at home.  Someone in a previous thread dubbed providers "illusionists"' and that resonates for me. The physical intimacy that y'all provide is best (for me) coupled with the illusion of a psychological or emotional intimacy: you make me feel wanted.
As long as I am not getting that at home and don't feel like an old fart or dirty old man, I'll probably continue to some extent.

Wow....great question....at first the hobby was just a filler for the loneliness I felt in my marriage.  I had hoped it would just be a filler after the divorce...but 4 years later, I still haven't found that special someone and it seems to be becoming a way of life.  And I have no problem with it.  I am single. Not hurting anyone. Have met some very nice ladies and its a good thing my ATF is 4 hours away or I'd be broke.    

I've not been at this too long(about 6 months). I got married at a young age, 20 so didn't get the wander lust out of my system I guess. Obviously after 14 years of marriage the passion or whatever isn't what it used to be. I figured this would be a one time thing for me but luckily I chose my first provider wisely and now I'm hooked so to speak.  
I enjoy the friendships you can gain through this "hobby" and the experience is at its best when you connect with a lady and there's a natural attraction both ways. It's nice like previous poster said to feel wanted or have a lady tell ya you're a nice looking guy and actually mean it. Yes there are some ladies I've been with I could tell that I enjoyed them more than they might have enjoyed me but still were very accommodating and consider them friends. Then there's been a couple that it was like freaking fireworks going off, just felt natural for both of us. That being said ya gotta leave you're emotions at the door, but it can be hard to do sometimes. A mutual friendship or even ya both just enjoy the pure physical aspect of eachother makes it all worth while. Not sure when I'll hang it up its too much fun. I've got a daughter and maybe when she gets older it will make me second think this lifestyle. Be kind of hard seeing ladies the same age as her. Of course by then I may just hit the older age bracket. Good post Sloan be nice to see what others say here

Maybe it is just as simple as..  
Loving your spouse and being happy at home or not?
but,, Sometimes something other then Vanilla is a nice change...

Good point, Jessica.
It's not that I don't love her nor she me, it's the physical expression.  But to be honest, the thrill of being with someone else has a lot to do with it.

LOVE THIS!!!

After a dance with a Pretty Woman, who has  a personality to match, I feel like God is in His/Her Heaven and all is right with the world)

always admire your writing ability, only wish I could be anywhere as eloquent

For some like me it a rush, a special time, and something to cherish and remember - with the right one.  

Because life is short and being with a beautiful, articulate provider is something that simply shouldn't be missed.  I'm not too much older than most of the providers that I've visited, so most of the time I can identify with where they are at in their lives.  Like Sloan and her friend, I have also developed a bond with a provider that I visited recently.  She is without question the smartest person I have met to date. That alone made her incredibly attractive. She expressed an interest in a particular field and I've been assisting her to extent I am able to help her move in that direction.  Will I stop hobbying? Probably not, I love the connection; both physical and mental.  It's part of being human.

Sloan,
Wow, wonderful story! Being fairly new to the hobby world, I have not thought about that situation happening, as I am sure it will. Because of the amount of time invested, this must be a little sad for you, along with wishing the best for him.  

Excellent Addition Ms. Kelly_Kat! Thank you!  

as you put it counts, and yet I would add that also if part time or full time makes a difference.