Would you stay with someone just because you've had a long history together?

Been in a relationship for almost 8 years with my best friend. He and i are alike in many ways yet have very different view points when it comes to debating an issue. We started to argue a lot lately and when it came down to it, we we're at different points in our lives; as in our wants and hopes and desires for the future. Reality finally settled in and kicked me in the and I now know that he is NOT ready for marriage and I've been holding on to the idea of the fantasy of us getting married. I want to get married and have kids because I'm at that point in my life where I'm ready to settle down. He's not yet he doesn't want to have a mutual break up! I broke it off and took marriage off the table. Now I feel guilty every time I look at him... I just want to give him a hug but, then he might misconstrue it as "us" getting back 2 gether. I still love him and probably always will... I feel so guilty because he is a good guy and loves me...It hurts because I love him... He's not ready for marriage and I don't want to wait anymore. I get it!...I'm leaving and I feel like I'm the worst person in the world...What would you do?