I had neighbors who went through this exact experience. After a year they reconciled and stayed together until the husband died. I always wondered why they got back together but now that I'm married I understand that relationships are more nuanced and fluid than most people will admit. Move on OP but if you get a chance to reconcile know that you will be coming at it from a stronger and wiser position. |
Marrying? Why would I do that? I don't want or need to be legally tied to anyone else. Don't care about the religious views of the women I date now, either. |
I would not count on a successful reconciliation. Sorry OP. ![]() Reason being is that all trust in the marriage has been seriously compromised. Also she was open/honest about her feelings toward you. While I can understand your perspective here, you do seem a bit in denial over your marriage. Many people are in denial because it assists them in dealing overall with their loss. |
It's so weird - this exact thing just happened to me, too. I'm not sure if my ex-W / AP has an expiration date or not, but I decided to move on. Too much deceit to ever re-build our friendship or trust. I had thought exactly like you are - I'll just wait this thing out. But then I started asking myself how will I feel if/when she does come back? What will have changed that this won't happen again? Most importantly, how would I get through these long months knowing that she's with the new man while I sat waiting for her? I had to stop trying to re-construct the time-line of her affair and start to focus on what I needed to do to recover, and to help my kids through this. So, like you, I am taking care of the house and kids while she is 'dating' her new man. And you know what? Everyday I get filled with a little more self-respect and pride at what I'm doing and how I'm doing it. That's something she can't take from me. -BobRoss |
How long did you wait? How long til you stopped ruminating? Did you stay cordial or did you change locks and make it formal? |
By about 4 weeks after she moved out, I realized I had to stop waiting. Every time I start to think about her/him, I force myself to stop. I sort of force myself to turn around and face forward instead of back. Got involved in a divorce support group that is really more oriented on happy hours, which is fine by me! This will always hurt, and I don't think I'll replace my exW, but I am working hard to move on. So - she and I have talked and are both committed to a positive future relationship. We're very open about money, no lawyers, we communicate regularly about the kids, etc...I do not engage in emotionally-based discussions with her, however. The question "How are you doing with all this?" gets the answer "I'm doing fine, thanks." People who are having affairs or in our case, the spouses who left for the AP, are likely to try and hang onto the original relationship as a safety line. I refuse to be her backup plan. But I can still maintain a very good relationship that is productive and positive. Not saying it's easy and it can be emotionally taxing, but I just keep reminding myself that there are so many new possibilities, new people to meet, and that helps a ton. |
You are my hero. I've been doing this three months. What you are doing is what I've read I should be doing. Thx for the reinforcement. |
Have to commend you for taking the high road. You have to think of her like a stranger with no connection. Personally, I would beat the crap out of the other guy when nobody is around. |
OP, how long has it been since you found out about the affair and when did she move out? |
Found about a year ago but she said it had ended. I learned it rekindled and she moved out after holidays. In late January. |
Found about a year ago but she said it had ended. I learned it rekindled and she moved out after holidays. In late January. |