If you are serious about your investment in your hobby(not only monetarily) and your plans within it, and the boyfriend is not, it'll more than likely end up with one side or the other(or both) resenting each other. Daybreaker is right, 8 months isn't a long time at all and he could have just gone through a phase rather than a change. At the end of the day, you need to evaluate your situation and decide what is in your best interest...also have a hard look at who you think could be a stable part of your life for longer, the snakes or the boy. He came in knowing of your situation, and from what it sounds like, it's not exactly something you've built upon together. But if this is the guy you are going to marry, sounds like you'll have to learn to severely compromise. Lots to think over...