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New Beginnings :
My X W H’s best friend told me he is in love with me.

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 want_to_forgive (original poster member #20470) posted at 9:13 PM on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

We have known each other the entire time of my M. He and my H were estranged when my H and I first got together. My H told me that he missed him, we ran into him one night when we were out and I tried to act as a friendly go-between to get them talking again. It worked, and they have been friends again ever since.

Fast forward to last night. He stopped by my house to see how I was doing. We talked a little about how the end of a M is sad but I had to move on for my sanity. He agreed that he had seen me do everything I could do to try to save my M and he thought XWH was a fool.

Then he told me that he has always thought the world of me. That the main reason he became friends with XWH again was because of me. That while he wasn’t necessarily hoping that I would leave my H, now that we are D he would like to be able to take me out so we can get to know each other on a different level . He actually said that he thinks he is in love with me. Holy shit.

He has never acted inappropriately towards me, crossed boundaries, nothing. He is a super nice guy, I have always wished he would find someone to settle down with. He has had a few long term relationships during the course of our friendship, and one engagement, but they always fell apart for one reason or another.

While I think it is too soon for me to date anyone right now, my M has been over in spirit for years. Now it is over in the eyes of the law as well. My H cheated on me with my best friend. Does that mean that I just need to cut off all contact with his friend because it would be wrong to hurt my XWH by dating said friend in the future? I have been in a loveless marriage for so long I have to admit that having a sweet, good looking guy look me in the eye and tell me I am who he has wanted for years gives me butterflies. I have them right now as I am typing this.

Help!

M 11 years
Me: BS 38 Him: WS
DDay June 2006, LTA BFFOW
Divorced April 5, 2013
Not making a decision is making a decision.

posts: 534   ·   registered: Jul. 31st, 2008   ·   location: Alaska
id 6310495
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Undefinabl3 ( member #36883) posted at 9:20 PM on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

I would let this one go. Do you really want to tie yourself to X with a friend of his?

What would come next, your X comeing over to dinner since they are still friends? What about mutal friend's parties - and X shows up....

Awkward for sure.

I would leave this one alone girl

Me: 35 MH
Him: 41 MH
New online find 6/19/14 - shit
Phone Find 11/21/14 - I can't even right now.
1/26/15 - Started IC for me, DH won't go.
1/10/18 - Again?!? Online EA's

posts: 2422   ·   registered: Sep. 19th, 2012
id 6310506
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 want_to_forgive (original poster member #20470) posted at 9:28 PM on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

What would come next, your X comeing over to dinner since they are still friends? What about mutal friend's parties - and X shows up....

Oh the drama I could be inviting into my life if I let myself go here...

BUT THE BUTTERFLIES! Wow, I forgot what that was like. Long sigh.

M 11 years
Me: BS 38 Him: WS
DDay June 2006, LTA BFFOW
Divorced April 5, 2013
Not making a decision is making a decision.

posts: 534   ·   registered: Jul. 31st, 2008   ·   location: Alaska
id 6310524
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BeingNaive ( member #30652) posted at 9:37 PM on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

I say to let this one go only because it would keep your X in your life due to them being friends. If it were me, I wouldn't even think about how it may affect my X's feelings (dating his friend). Just think about how it would pertain to you.

[This message edited by BeingNaive at 3:38 PM, April 24th (Wednesday)]

posts: 307   ·   registered: Jan. 6th, 2011   ·   location: Michigan
id 6310540
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Mousse242 ( member #6330) posted at 10:26 PM on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

Give it some time. Keep your distance a bit, you still have healing to do.

If this guy is real, and the main reason he was friends with the Ex was because of you, now that you are D'd, his friendship with the Ex may diminish on its own.

If that is the case then, after you've done some healing, if there is still mutual interest, it MIGHT be worth exploring.

But if he is still going to remain close to your Ex, it would probably be best to let it go.

posts: 5485   ·   registered: Jan. 27th, 2005   ·   location: Chicago
id 6310602
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wontdefineme ( member #31421) posted at 10:46 PM on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

Good boundaries, waited, and you like him. He nas been estranged before, and wouldn't it just eat your ex up knowing it was his friend. See where my mind is. Life is short, and if you are healed, go slowly and if nothing else, you have a good male friend.

posts: 2328   ·   registered: Mar. 5th, 2011
id 6310632
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 want_to_forgive (original poster member #20470) posted at 12:49 AM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

Thanks all, this is all pretty new to me. I haven't dated in over 12 years. Apparently I wasn't very good at it back then anyway, because I choose my NPD X.

The conversation was a little intoxicating, and I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't doing anything wrong, I am divorced.

BUT... I think letting things stand while I get some distance from this D is a good idea. The top of X's head would blow off if I started dating his friend. Not that I should care about how X feels, but it's hard for me to not do that with everyone in my life, not just him.

M 11 years
Me: BS 38 Him: WS
DDay June 2006, LTA BFFOW
Divorced April 5, 2013
Not making a decision is making a decision.

posts: 534   ·   registered: Jul. 31st, 2008   ·   location: Alaska
id 6310768
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Kajem ( member #36134) posted at 2:03 AM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

I dated a guy who used to work with XH after my marriage imploded. I had the butterflies, he said all the right things, He made me feel so good about myself.

My suggestion is to take the time to get your bearings/boundaries being single. I wish I had done that and waited.

Hugs,

K

I trust you is a better compliment than I love you, because you may not trust the person you love, but you can always love the person you trust. - UnknownRelationships are like sharing a book, it doesn't work if you're not on the same page.

posts: 6708   ·   registered: Jul. 15th, 2012   ·   location: Florida
id 6310843
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CrappyLife ( member #37630) posted at 12:07 PM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

From your description, this guy sounds like he is genuine. He mentioned that he liked you, but never did anything inappropriate since you were married. Then, he could have jumped in earlier when you were getting divorced and acted as a KISA. He waited until your D and then made his move. To me, he sounds really stable and level-headed even though he has had problems in his relationships. My suggestion is to date him, go slow and see where it goes.

As far as being a friend of your XH goes, he has indicated that he became friends with your XH because of you. So, he can dump him again. For you. That would make you feel nice also.

BBF-turned-BH: 28 (Me)
WGF-turned-WW: 28 (EmotionalFool)
POS1: a 'friend'? WW believed it was my 'best friend'!
POS2: her senior at work!
Together - 6 years
Married - 1.5 years
D-Day- 15/10/12

Don't know where we are headed..

posts: 276   ·   registered: Nov. 27th, 2012
id 6311150
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Undefinabl3 ( member #36883) posted at 2:00 PM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

BUT THE BUTTERFLIES!

Oh, i get the butterflies.....but just cause they are there doesnt mean its a good idea.

Good boundaries, waited, and you like him. He nas been estranged before, and wouldn't it just eat your ex up knowing it was his friend. See where my mind is.

You should never go into a relationship with any hint or possiblity of it being partly revenge or 'getting back' at your ex. If this is in any part of your reasoning, then you should stop and realize that those are false pretenses to have a relationship.

Life is short, and if you are healed, go slowly and if nothing else, you have a good male friend.

Life is short, but it doesnt have to be drama filled and seriously complicated.

its a really good suggestion to give yourself time to heal, get to know yourself, find out who you are without a partner....before you actually get another one.

If he is still around when you have given that time to yourself....then I would say go into it slowly...but right now - not so much

Me: 35 MH
Him: 41 MH
New online find 6/19/14 - shit
Phone Find 11/21/14 - I can't even right now.
1/26/15 - Started IC for me, DH won't go.
1/10/18 - Again?!? Online EA's

posts: 2422   ·   registered: Sep. 19th, 2012
id 6311217
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wonderingbull ( member #14833) posted at 2:13 PM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

I wouldn't say that KD and my ex were actually friends but they did know each other through our family gatherings...

When the ex and I were together and KD was with her now ex we didn't even look sideways at each other... I enjoyed her spirit but never thought about it on any level...

When I saw her at a family get together and we were both single I knew she wouldn't be single long... I took the chance and asked her out...

It's worked out great so far... The ex sent me an email a month or so into the new relationship stating she heard about us... That surprised the hell out of me but I didn't care...

I'd say, take it slow and see where it might go... You never know... I know I don't regret it one bit...

WB

The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time...

James Taylor

posts: 6054   ·   registered: Jun. 1st, 2007   ·   location: A better place
id 6311220
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Sad in AZ ( member #24239) posted at 2:25 PM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

Examine yourself--if your relationship with your X has been over in spirit for sometime, I don't think the suggested timeframe for healing from D necessarily applies.

Having experienced OLD and other methods of meeting potential dates from 'scratch', I would overwhelmingly welcome an old 'friend'. Really, I feel you have to be friends before you can be successful lovers. But that's just my opinion...

You are important and you matter. Your feelings matter. Your voice matters. Your story matters. Your life matters. Always.

Me: FBS (no longer betrayed nor a spouse)-63
D-day: 2007 (two years before finding SI)
S: 6/2010; D: 3/2011

posts: 25351   ·   registered: Jun. 3rd, 2009   ·   location: Arizona
id 6311231
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ajsmom ( member #17460) posted at 2:34 PM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

Well...he's been pretty open about his feelings toward you.

How do YOU feel about HIM?

AJ's MOM

Fidelity isn't a feeling...it's a choice.

"Truth has no special time of its own. Its hour is now - always." - Albert Schweitzer
____________________________________________
Me: BW - Him: 200+ # tumor removed 7/09
One AMAZING DS - 34

posts: 21424   ·   registered: Dec. 21st, 2007   ·   location: Been Through Hell...On My Way Back
id 6311248
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stupidstupidme ( member #11888) posted at 2:57 PM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

I agree with what Mousse said - it seems to me that if their friendship is not that strong, and he only rekindled it because of you, he may have no qualms about distancing himself from your ex in order to provide a more comfortable atmosphere for you...

I say proceed slowly... with caution.

Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength
August Wilson

posts: 19751   ·   registered: Aug. 30th, 2006
id 6311275
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amitheow ( member #4691) posted at 3:12 PM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

If you date him, he WON'T be friends with your X anymore. He will let that relationship go. I can almost guarantee it.

So as long as it doesn't bother him that you were with his friend, then ... go for it, when you feel ready, if you ever do.

Old Timer, Just here to help
My screen name is: Am I The Ow? - Not Ami the OW.

Because in my situation I didn't know if I was the OW at first or if I was being cheated on. Found I was being cheated on.

posts: 5194   ·   registered: Jun. 18th, 2004   ·   location:
id 6311296
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SoHappyNow ( member #8923) posted at 3:19 PM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

I am in a somewhat similar situation. My late husband and I met a really good and decent man about 18 months ago when the 3 of us became neighbors in a retirement community. As my hubby's health worsened until his death from lung cancer 3 months ago, Friend (F) spent more and more time watching over hubby - up to 8 to 10 hours daily. At one point my husband told F "you're not a friend, you're FAMILY". Hubby asked F to take care of me after he died.

After my husband died, F and I still kept spending time together and our friendship became even closer.

I moved across town to a new apartment on March 1st. On March 14th, F confessed that he had feelings for me.

Since then, our love for each other has grown and grown. I am seizing this second chance at true happiness.......because I know I am tough and very resilient and will be OK no matter what may come my way.

Point being: you're the only one who really knows yourself and your risk tolerance. If you think you can, I always advise to go for the gusto!

[This message edited by hit-by-a-train at 9:21 AM, April 25th (Thursday)]

In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer..Albert Camus--------73 now. Dday #1 was 11/11/05 ***Used to be hit-by-a-train*** Widowed, then VERY happily remarried 2/14/14

posts: 2673   ·   registered: Nov. 23rd, 2005   ·   location: USA
id 6311305
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Dawnie ( member #26912) posted at 8:50 PM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

IMHO, as long as you arent pursuing him just to get revenge on your ex then go for it..... but go slow...

Enjoy!

DIVORCED! Remarried to a real man!
BW (me) - 41 (now 48)
WH (him) - 43 (now 50)
OW - 23 yr old foreign gold digging whore looking for her American meal ticket
1 14 yr old son (now 21)
married 20 years/together 25 years
D day - 9/23/2009 5pm

posts: 815   ·   registered: Dec. 23rd, 2009   ·   location: Mid Atlantic coast
id 6311814
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GabyBaby ( member #26928) posted at 8:54 PM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

I also agree that you should go for it (slowly!!!).

It sounds like this guy has boundaries (wow!) and didnt make his feelings known until AFTER the divorce.

If you're into him and he's into you, have fun!

Me - late 40s
DD(27), DS(24, PDD-NOS)

WH#2 (SorryinSac)- Killed himself (May 2015) in our home 6 days after being served divorce docs.
XWH #1 - legally married 18yrs. 12+ OW (that I know of).

I edit often for clarity/typos.

posts: 10094   ·   registered: Dec. 26th, 2009   ·   location: Here and There
id 6311822
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wildbananas ( member #10552) posted at 9:57 PM on Thursday, April 25th, 2013

Then he told me that he has always thought the world of me. That the main reason he became friends with XWH again was because of me.

I'm curious... was he friends with XWH again because he wanted to be closer to you? Or because you helped them to get talking again?

Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light. ~ Yogi Bhajan

posts: 16592   ·   registered: May. 1st, 2006   ·   location: Somewhere
id 6311903
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sudra ( member #30143) posted at 3:36 PM on Friday, April 26th, 2013

You shouldn't make your decision based upon how it might affect your ex husband - you shouldn't do it to get back at him, but you also shouldn't NOT see him because he's your exhusband's friend.

He can decide for himself if a relationship with you is worth risking his friendship with your ex. It's not your issue.

Sounds like he's got good boundaries - I doubt if he renewed his friendship with you ex just because of you given that you've been married 11 years and this happened at the beginning of your marriage.

Do you feel ready to date? If so, why not?

Me (BW) (5\64), Him(SAWH) (68)Married 31 years, 1 son (28), 1 stepdaughter (36) DDay #1 January 2004DDay #2 7-27-2010 7 month EA/PA (became "engaged" to OW before he told me he wanted a divorce)Working on R

posts: 1876   ·   registered: Nov. 17th, 2010
id 6312896
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