Please give me hope...

:hug::hug::hug: I am so sorry for what you are going through. It does seem like you have a handle on what is happening with him. It sounds like a whole lot of bad things have happened in a short amount of time and it's effecting him.

Be kind to yourself. Don't internalize what he says about you. You are not the problem. There are a lot of problems, but you aren't one of them. Try to do some nice things for yourself to build yourself back up. It has to be so hurtful to hear those things from someone that loved you so much. Don't believe that you are the problem. It sounds like he is lashing out at you for all of the problems you both have experienced. He might believe it, but don't you believe it. Not for a minute.

:hug:
 
I'm sorry for what you are going through :hug: ... I'm no expert, but maybe your husband is going through some sort of depression and is just lashing out at you? ... have you thought about going to see a counselor together? ... maybe talking to a professional will help or get to the true root of the problem ... good luck and stay strong :flower3: ...
 
Be strong. Remember that you have thousands of people here to support you :)
 

That this pain will end, and I will feel whole again. After 13 years together, & 11 married, to someone I thought was the most wonderful man in the world, my best friend, my soulmate, only to find out he doesn't love me at all, and wants out, now. It's been three weeks since I found out, and while I've held on to hope, I have come to the realization that it really is happening, this isn't a nightmare that I'm going to wake up from, and that my whole life is about to change. He went from telling me I'm the best wife and mother, someone he thanks God for every day, to the person at the root of all his dissatisfaction with life. Please say a prayer for me.:sad1:

:hug: My very close friend went through this last fall. Her divorce was final in January. After the initial shock, she started healing and is doing very well now. I know that won't help the pain now, but it's a bright light to look forward to.
 


I've suggested all of the above, numerous times. He said he needed time and space to think. Asked me for two weeks. I gave it to him. He comes and goes and he pleases. I try not to ask questions or freak out when he is around. Also, he took his wedding ring off almost immediately. That was a HUGE red flag to me. Why on earth would someone who is fairly new to a company, who is looking to move up, advertise that he is having problems at home? Unless, of course, his main goal is to advertise it.

I also want to mention that with DH's previous jobs, he mainly worked from home. He was in medical sales & marketing, so spent most of the time on the phone, with a moderate amount of travel. This job is also sales & marketing, but for a home health care company. His territory is local & much smaller than what he is use to dealing with, which previously at the least was the mid-Atlantic, and most recently, the entire east half of the US. Now he has two counties, and is in constant contact with women all day long. So here I am at home, not working, not getting dressed up and looking all cute every day, with a health problem, but still happy, with lots of hobbies, and trying to stay in the best shape I can, thinking everything is just peachy.

I was slightly concerned when DH took this job, as I know how women are around him. Heck, I met him at work when we both worked in the ER, and we were both married to other people. I was already leaving my ex, but DH was still married. He expressed an interest in me, I said I wasn't interested, had one cheating husband, didn't want another. He ended up leaving his wife, and we ended up married two years later. If this is karma, it really is a *****. He is so charming and sweet that women fall all over him. He gives women what they aren't getting at home.

Not even one year after we were married he did start having an affair with someone he worked with. This was in a different workplace, so I didn't know her. I was still in the ER/ICU where we met. I found out a year later when OW's (other woman) husband called to tell me. I almost had a nervous breakdown then. I couldn't believe this was happening to me again after first DH, who I stayed with for twenty, count them, 20!!! years!!!!, because we had three young children. I finally had enough and left when the kids were 12, 18 & 19. What is it with me? Why do I attract these kind of men? The difference between first DH and current DH, (which, by the way, neither deserve the term "dear" husband, so from this point further, DH means damn husband), first DH never professed to be what he was not. He rarely told me he loved me, barely ever remembered a birthday or anniversary, and was basically not there. He worked hard, handed me his paycheck, and proceeded to do whatever he wanted. This DH was the exact opposite. Made me feel cherished, loved, cared for, safe, & secure at all times, except for the dreaded affair.

His excuse then was that he was feeling low, wasn't happy with his job, was doubting himself as a father with this new ready made family, she made him feel important, blah, blah, blah. Of course, I rationalized it like I did with first DH when I found out he was cheating. I believed him when he said he was so sorry, he would never hurt me like that again, he loves me more than anything in the whole universe, blah, blah, blah. I have to give it to him. He had me convinced. He couldn't have done enough for me. We did everything together. We liked the same things, had the same interests. Now, poof, it's gone. I'm boring; mundane is what he called it. Life is passing him by. I'm old news.

BTW, I am older than him, much older, 15 years older. He seemed so mature at the time we met. I did tell him to go away, that he was too young, I wasn't interested. He convinced me over time that age didn't matter. No one realized we were that far apart in age. I look young for my age, he is prematurely gray. He seemed so mature. I guess age matters now.

After this post, I think it is crystal clear what happened. First off, I have to commend you on being so forthcoming with details, you paint a shockingly truthful picture. Your DH left his last wife for you and then started cheating on you while you were still newlyweds! I bet he never quit.

I honestly think you should count your lucky stars. 13 years was probably the best you were going to get from this man. Let him cause someone else heartache, cause he is never going to quit cheating, he is a serial cheater.

Take some time for yourself and everything thing else will fall in place. When one door closes, another one opens.:hug:
 


I've suggested all of the above, numerous times. He said he needed time and space to think. Asked me for two weeks. I gave it to him. He comes and goes and he pleases. I try not to ask questions or freak out when he is around. Also, he took his wedding ring off almost immediately. That was a HUGE red flag to me. Why on earth would someone who is fairly new to a company, who is looking to move up, advertise that he is having problems at home? Unless, of course, his main goal is to advertise it.

I also want to mention that with DH's previous jobs, he mainly worked from home. He was in medical sales & marketing, so spent most of the time on the phone, with a moderate amount of travel. This job is also sales & marketing, but for a home health care company. His territory is local & much smaller than what he is use to dealing with, which previously at the least was the mid-Atlantic, and most recently, the entire east half of the US. Now he has two counties, and is in constant contact with women all day long. So here I am at home, not working, not getting dressed up and looking all cute every day, with a health problem, but still happy, with lots of hobbies, and trying to stay in the best shape I can, thinking everything is just peachy.

I was slightly concerned when DH took this job, as I know how women are around him. Heck, I met him at work when we both worked in the ER, and we were both married to other people. I was already leaving my ex, but DH was still married. He expressed an interest in me, I said I wasn't interested, had one cheating husband, didn't want another. He ended up leaving his wife, and we ended up married two years later. If this is karma, it really is a *****. He is so charming and sweet that women fall all over him. He gives women what they aren't getting at home.

Not even one year after we were married he did start having an affair with someone he worked with. This was in a different workplace, so I didn't know her. I was still in the ER/ICU where we met. I found out a year later when OW's (other woman) husband called to tell me. I almost had a nervous breakdown then. I couldn't believe this was happening to me again after first DH, who I stayed with for twenty, count them, 20!!! years!!!!, because we had three young children. I finally had enough and left when the kids were 12, 18 & 19. What is it with me? Why do I attract these kind of men? The difference between first DH and current DH, (which, by the way, neither deserve the term "dear" husband, so from this point further, DH means damn husband), first DH never professed to be what he was not. He rarely told me he loved me, barely ever remembered a birthday or anniversary, and was basically not there. He worked hard, handed me his paycheck, and proceeded to do whatever he wanted. This DH was the exact opposite. Made me feel cherished, loved, cared for, safe, & secure at all times, except for the dreaded affair.

His excuse then was that he was feeling low, wasn't happy with his job, was doubting himself as a father with this new ready made family, she made him feel important, blah, blah, blah. Of course, I rationalized it like I did with first DH when I found out he was cheating. I believed him when he said he was so sorry, he would never hurt me like that again, he loves me more than anything in the whole universe, blah, blah, blah. I have to give it to him. He had me convinced. He couldn't have done enough for me. We did everything together. We liked the same things, had the same interests. Now, poof, it's gone. I'm boring; mundane is what he called it. Life is passing him by. I'm old news.

BTW, I am older than him, much older, 15 years older. He seemed so mature at the time we met. I did tell him to go away, that he was too young, I wasn't interested. He convinced me over time that age didn't matter. No one realized we were that far apart in age. I look young for my age, he is prematurely gray. He seemed so mature. I guess age matters now.

I get the feeling you would forgive him if he decided he wanted you again tomorrow, but considering his past actions, is that what you deserve? Is he going to "make a mistake" every 10 years? I think you need to do some soul searching. Not about what YOU did to make him leave or how YOU can change to make him return, but about what you want from your future for YOURSELF. He is worrying about his happiness, you don't need to. You need to worry about your happiness. That might include him or it might not, but either way it's got to be what you want.
 
His history is definitely something to take into consideration. It's good that you can see things clearly. Take care of yourself. Take steps to cover yourself financially and emotionally.
 
You are not alone. You will get a ton of advice so take the good and throw out the rest. Mark my words, write this down somewhere and you CAN take it to the bank: One year from now, you WILL be whole again. Right now, this very minute your mind is not capable of fathoming that, I know, I was there. Right NOW, your still in shock and your dream is shattered. I get that, I remember it like it was yesterday, except, there is NO pain when I look back now. It is simply a bad memory. SO much will happen in this next year that if you were shown a video of YOU one year from now, you may not believe it. You will be STRONGER, SMARTER and wait for it....HAPPIER! Happier you say? Yes, because your life will not be an "Idea" of what you thought you had. It will be what YOU create it to be. I remember that I thought I was happy too. Once I was able to see our relationship for what it REALLY was, flaws and all, I realized I wasn't happy at all...

Until then, you are going to have to push through the tears and take it one day at at time. You will make it through this, and honestly, a year from now you'll look back and the person staring at you in the mirror will astound you!

Hugs


Chris:hug:
 
As a woman who has been divorced, I can understand some of the feelings you're experiencing. Ex was also younger (7 yrs) and at age 19/26 when we got together, that should have been a clue to me! Anyway, after we split, (at ages 26/33) I had support from people I never thought would be there for me. Each small goal that I accomplished built my self-confidence, and I was one step away from the "bad" and one step closer to the "good." I do agree though, that once a cheater, always a cheater is probably true. Don't be so hard on yourself, as other posters have said, and know that this is another chance to re-invent yourself.
Good luck, and know that you have another woman's support in me! :hug:
 
Teresa - I am so sorry. :hug:

Check here for some resources and support -

wwwsurvivinginfidelity.com

Denae
 
First off, I have to commend you on being so forthcoming with details, you paint a shockingly truthful picture.

I agree, and I am very impressed that you're able to be so open and honest with us AND yourself. So many times we can't see the patterns! So many times we can't be honest with our part in things. I had the WORST time in relationships for quite awhile, and finally I realized it was b/c I wasn't being the best person in MY part (I was the "other woman" casually a few times, though I never tried to do that, but I'd believe guys when they would say they were single, ugh, and then I'd get "hooked" on the doofuses and stick around).

But it took being able to look at myself truthfully, and it's part of why I'm honest about my past, before I was able to truly move forward.

I see good things in your future, that you are so honest about this.


I booked a trip for myself the other day, leaving in a little over two weeks. I need to get away. I have to go to my happy place and reinvent it so that it truly is my happy place.

.........That either a) he agrees to go to counseling with me. He can still come and go as he pleases, to "find" himself, and I won't question him, or b) tell me he does not want to go to counseling, and then he can find himself somewhere to go.

I think the trip, and reinventing, is a GREAT idea. But I do highly recommend that you take everything you value (pictures, your jewelry, etc) and put it someplace safe. With a friend, in a safe deposit box, in a storage unit, so that you can breathe while you're gone, not wondering what he's doing.

And this is just my opinion and experience...but if you guys try to move forward, letting him come and go is exactly what NOT to do, if he's there. DH and I had problems while engaged, and he moved out. That's how he had his space. We were BOTH willing to do counseling (he started doing his own counseling, and realized quickly that "I don't love you anymore" actually meant, for him, "I don't love myself and I'm scared"...it was only months later that we started couples counseling) and had to set up groundrules.

For me, to feel safe enough to put my heart out there, the groundrule had to be NO DATING. Neither one of us. I couldn't ask him about what he discussed in his therapy (if he wanted to share he could, though), and we had to be honest with each other about our feelings, but we couldn't tell each other where to go...except for the no dating thing.

And for us we couldn't have done it if we were living together...the day to day stuff was too hard on top of the deeper issues.

So I guess I"m saying two things. :) One, don't dictate where he goes, but he doesn't just get to be a free spirit, either! If you are both interested in counseling (and I would recommend he go to individual counseling, and you do as well, with a DIFFERENT counselor, well before you guys start couples counseling (with yet another counselor IMO*)), the rules have to be set up and there has to be enough trust on both parts that you will both keep the promises.


*A friend of mine was blindsided one New Years Eve, and they did their counseling with the same person. As a result, neither of them ever felt safe, because they were worried about the counselor taking the other person's side.


Sidenote, based on the friend I just mentioned...you might find your health getting a bit better. My friend had chronic idiopathic autoimmune problems (hepatitis in her case) from the time she was 13, and after she finally allowed for the divorce plans to be set in motion, she got SO much better. She had a good 3 years of not being on the transplant list, not being yellowish, etc etc. Her husband, though she denied and denied it, had become a drain on her emotionally and mentally, and her body was failing partially because of the stress of it all. So watch for health changes!



I wish you the best, and I'm SO sorry you're going through all of this. :hug:
 
I'm going to save what you wrote, Chris, and keep reading it every time I think I can't do this. It is such a scary time. Sometimes I scare myself because I start to feel so hopeless. I've seen what people do when they are feeling desperate, sometimes with irreversible consequences. I don't want that to be me. I have way too much to live for.

You CAN take this one to the bank Sweetie. We have a very dear friend who's partner of 13 years left her, just like your situation. She was devistated. Since she works for South West, she flies free. We invited her to come visit us. She flew out for 3 days and we all cried the entire time. She told us, that trip was the FIRST time she has ever traveled w/out her partner. The first night, she was ready to leave our house and head to the airport because she was so miserable. Thanfully she stayed and we were able to help her work through some things..basically, we listened. I told her the SAME thing I told you. Guess what? One year later, not only was she STRONGER, SMARTER and HAPPIER, she met someone. They have been together 3 happy years now and she says, her relationship NOW, is SOOOO much healthier than the previous. Her life is fuller now and every picture she posts of them, she is glowing. One year, just one year.;)
 
Mark my words, write this down somewhere and you CAN take it to the bank: One year from now, you WILL be whole again. Right now, this very minute your mind is not capable of fathoming that, I know, I was there. Right NOW, your still in shock and your dream is shattered. I get that, I remember it like it was yesterday, except, there is NO pain when I look back now. It is simply a bad memory. SO much will happen in this next year that if you were shown a video of YOU one year from now, you may not believe it. You will be STRONGER, SMARTER and wait for it....HAPPIER! Happier you say? Yes, because your life will not be an "Idea" of what you thought you had. It will be what YOU create it to be. I remember that I thought I was happy too. Once I was able to see our relationship for what it REALLY was, flaws and all, I realized I wasn't happy at all...

I've also lived (and am living) this and I believe it to be the absolute truth. My husband left right before Thanksgiving, after being together 17 years. Blamed it all on me. You know what I did? After 6 weeks loathing in self-pity and questioning what I did wrong, I decided my New Year's resolution would be to make this year about ME. And I'm having the time of my life. Got rid of everything in my life that wasn't working. I've changed everything in the house to be the way I want it, not the way "we" or "he" liked it. I hang with friends, keep my own schedule, and I am thriving. He never sees me depressed and I never question what he is doing or discuss what went wrong. I won't spend one minute of my time being upset or angry or depressed, because in the end, it doesn't matter and it certainly doesn't help. Can't be bothered with him. You know what? He said he was surprised that I was managing so well without him and he may want to come home after all. Well, guess what buddy, your loss. Haha. It's only been 4 months since he left, but I don't think I'd let him back. I didn't realize what a pressure cooker I was living in.

My advice: Take the time you need to do what's best for you. Ignore advice from people telling you to "stick it to him" or "rake him over the coals", it just drags you down in the end. You already know what's right for you. Hang with people who are important to you and who lift you up. Set a goal everyday for yourself and no matter how bad you feel, get out of bed, put your shoes on and tell yourself today is your day and you're not going to waste it feeling bad for yourself.

Sorry for going on and on. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. How long it takes you to reach it depends solely on you. :hug:
 


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