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Newest Member: Starrystarrynight

Reconciliation :
5 years later and we're doing great... hang in there.

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 MrsDoubtfire (original poster member #24786) posted at 6:46 PM on Monday, July 29th, 2013

I have to admit (and I posted on this a while back) that only now is the reality that he had a LTA hitting home. I guess this is just part of the ongoing process of the roller coaster that is post infidelity.

Day to day though what does my M look like?

FWH still appreciates that I decided to R.

He still feels like a prize dick for having an A.

He still gets waves of guilt and feels waves of nausea when thinking of that time and the OW so no worries about him ever 'going back' to her

He - due to the extensive IC- is a far better husband and human being who is kinder to me and to DD and is more generous with his time and his possessions and with his money!

He hugs me a lot and kisses me a hell of a lot.

The main change?

He talks to me about everything! There are no hidden agenda's, no no-go topics and no arguments where he then starts to slag me off before storming out like a petulant child

We have fun together and have a laugh together and enjoy spending time together.

I come first. It used to be his job then him then his hobbies then me then DD!!

Now it's me and DD then him then his hobbies and -lastly- his job!

Now he tells me what he is working instead of saying he hasn't been given any shifts as yet and he books finish times when he knows we have stuff planned so he can leave work and be there with me (before he'd either turn up late or not bother to turn up at all!!!).

Now we book things in advance and have holidays booked into next year already whereas before he wouldn't even pre-book a trip to McDonalds incase he decided he wanted to D me before we went (although I actually don't like McD's- I was being ironic !!)

Now, he will ask me if I need anything picking up on his way home from work and will call me several times a day just to chat to me and will always ALWAYS respond to a trigger or a melt down should they occur (lesser in frequency and intensity but- hey- I do still trigger from time to time )

He hates people who have A's now and is trying to be a better person with better boundaries who won't flirt with all and sundry... instead he talks to his co-workers about me; our M and our life together (yes- this has been confirmed).

Me? I'm more relaxed as I feel safer. I don't feel the need to police him or his whereabouts and I never want to. I think I have said before that if I have to live my life policing or mothering him then I will walk away as that's not a relationship... that's a gaoler/prisoner relationship that will wear us both down.

I laugh a lot nowadays and, apart from the 14 lbs that I have put on (with his wooing me back with treats out at restaurants or lovely home cooking) that I hate and am trying to lose I am happy with who I am and the person that I have become.

I accept fully that his A was due to his brokenness and not my failings as a wife, mother, lover and woman! I accept that this means he chose someone to mirror and pander to him and this was regardless of her looks so don't need to focus on whether my boobs are too big or my ass is too saggy or that my eyes are the wrong color

I can just focus on being the best me that I can be.

The ricochet to the above? Our DD is relaxed and happy and settled and she now adores her dad (this is the girl who swore blind she would never speak to him again let alone spend time in his presence or live under the same roof as him ever again!!). If she needs a hug she tends to call dad first as he offers 'sound' advice

If anybody ever asks you why you are selling yourself short by sticking with a cheat because "once a cheat always a cheat" and "if they did it once they'll do it over and over again" tell them this:

Statistically- a remorseful spouse is 85% less likely to re-offend than someone who has never cheated before as long as they get IC.... then tell them MrsDoubtfire can vouch for the fact that a bumpy ride in the early years is well worth the longer term M that you will end up with.

Don't listen to someone who has never been cheated on. That's like asking someone who's never had a colonic how it feels!!! (No- I don't know how it feels either. My bum doesn't need flushing out haha)

Instead- listen to people like the wise old timers on SI who have been there and done what you want or are doing....

And stick with it. You will learn a new normal.

You will also find that the bad days will eventually be overtaken with more good days than bad and that your gut will stop lurching all over the place and will settle once more.

Hang in there and just keep moving forwards.....

This applies to those who's spouse is remorseful and willing to walk over hot coals to put things right... if they are making YOU do all the hard work then my advice is to hard 180 first and be prepared to walk away and D them if needs be.... that's what I had to do at the beginning.

It was only when I went NC with him and started to D his sorry ass that he de-fogged!!

Just wanted to offer some hope and something positive for people to read.

There are a lot like me on here but I know I am guilty of using this place as a place to safely vent and am probably less likely to post when something is going great in my M so I do occasionally try to level the scales by sharing the good things that are happening in my M.

BS(Me) FWH(Him) DDay 05.09
A went underground. True R 02.10
I won't let another woman reap the benefit of enjoying the man my H has now become†

posts: 1634   ·   registered: Jul. 12th, 2009
id 6426085
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knightsbff ( member #36853) posted at 7:30 PM on Monday, July 29th, 2013

Thank you!

fWW 40s, BH 40s
D-day 27 Aug 2012. Kids 25, 17, 13. 2 dogs.

I edit often to fix stuff ☺️

Profoundly grateful Every. Single. Day. that I am blessed with an H with strength, integrity, and compassion, and that he decided to try.

posts: 1840   ·   registered: Sep. 17th, 2012   ·   location: Deep South, USA
id 6426171
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LosferWords ( member #30369) posted at 7:40 PM on Monday, July 29th, 2013

Awesome.

posts: 31109   ·   registered: Dec. 11th, 2010
id 6426202
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Blobette ( member #36519) posted at 7:42 PM on Monday, July 29th, 2013

That is really, really great to hear. Congratulations to you, for sticking this out!

BS (me): 51
WS: 52
Married: 27 yrs
Kids: 2
OW: Co-worker, 7 yr LTA
DD 8/1/2012, Working on R

posts: 1064   ·   registered: Aug. 17th, 2012
id 6426209
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Tred ( member #34086) posted at 7:43 PM on Monday, July 29th, 2013

Thanks for the positive update Mrs. D!

Married: 27 years (14 @JFO) D-Day: 11/09/11"Ohhhhh...shut up Tred!" - NOT the official SI motto (DS)

posts: 5890   ·   registered: Dec. 2nd, 2011
id 6426213
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FeelingSoMuch ( member #38814) posted at 4:18 AM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Thank you. I needed this today.

Me: BH
Her: WW
Together since 2001. Married since 2007. Found out about her affairs in 2013. Now separated, waiting for divorce paperwork and in a wonderful new relationship. Life is good again.

posts: 512   ·   registered: Mar. 26th, 2013   ·   location: Canada
id 6426868
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Emotionalhell ( member #39902) posted at 4:22 AM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Thank you . I needed to hear this. Somedays I don't think it will ever get better.

Me BS x2. 50ish Divorced WH #1. IHS with wayward #2 Dday #1 Oct. 2014Dday # 2 August 2018. Dday #3 December 17th.

posts: 1780   ·   registered: Jul. 22nd, 2013
id 6426876
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Jrazz ( member #31349) posted at 4:22 AM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

"Don't give up, the beginning is always the hardest." - Deeply Scared's mom

posts: 29076   ·   registered: Feb. 28th, 2011   ·   location: California
id 6426877
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sudra ( member #30143) posted at 4:43 AM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Love to hear good stories here. Thanks for this, and I'm happy you're doing well.

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 6426888
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meplusfour ( member #38958) posted at 5:24 AM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Thank you for this. I needed this tonight.

BW (me)42
WH 44
3 daughters, 1 son
Married 10 years, together 13
DDay 3/14/2013, four year PA
In R
"Sometimes you have to accept the fact that certain things will never go back to the way they used to be."

posts: 438   ·   registered: Apr. 11th, 2013   ·   location: Canada
id 6426926
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ItsaClimb ( member #37107) posted at 7:01 AM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Thank you SO much for posting that!

BS 52
Together 35 yrs, M 31 years
2 daughters 30yo(married with 2 children) & 25yo
D-Day 18 Aug 2012
6mth EA lead to 4mth PA with CO-W. I found out 8 1/2 yrs later

posts: 1321   ·   registered: Oct. 11th, 2012
id 6426993
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FeelsSoRight ( member #28377) posted at 12:53 PM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Mrs. D,

I have been wanting to write a post like this for a few months now and it's just such a daunting task that I haven't.

I feel pretty much the same way you do right down to the gaining weight because you're content, feel safe and happy...AND not liking it either.

We are a little over 4 years out and honestly, I sincerelly believe my H would never do anything like that again either. I feel safe.

My kids also respect their dad again. Took about a year or so of seeing he'd really stepped up, but they, too, call Dad when they need practical advice.

My H is a better husband, father and all around person since we reconciled.

And the trigger (no pun intended) that spurned my H on to want to build a better marriage was the same as yours...I did a hard 180 and started D proceedings.

Thanks for saying what I've been just too lazy to post.

Me - W - 48
Him - H - 47
Together since we were 14/15
Married 27 yrs in August (renewed our vows in 2011-H's idea!)
DD-23, DS-15
Separated for 7 mos & were 3 wks from divorce when we reconciled
Happily R for almost 4 years

posts: 1451   ·   registered: Apr. 26th, 2010   ·   location: MO
id 6427116
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AFrayedKnot ( member #36622) posted at 1:01 PM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

BS 48fWS 44 (SurprisinglyOkay)DsD DSA whole bunch of shit that got a lot worse before it got better."Knowing is half the battle"

posts: 2859   ·   registered: Aug. 28th, 2012
id 6427120
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undonelife ( member #38421) posted at 1:17 PM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Can I ask you this? Do you love him? Do you respect him? Those are things I fear I will never get back. I'm 9 months post DDay & 6 months in real R w counseling &WH is doing his best to whoo me back but I don't feel much back. I am very sad that I admired this man and now I think he's a scumbag.

Me: BS 59 Him: WH 57
M: 34 years
DDay 1 1986 EA Confessed,Rugswept
DDay 2 11/25/2012 EA/PA Caught
TT 9/9/13 Lies,Pictures
OW:20 yrs younger M-CwOW

posts: 228   ·   registered: Feb. 10th, 2013
id 6427133
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blakesteele ( member #38044) posted at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Great post!....now, where do I get those FastForward5Years...pills?!?!?

It makes me feel good that you have gotten to such a better spot!

ME: 42 BH, I don't PM female members
SHE: 38 EA
Married: 15 years
Together: 17 years
D/Day 9-10-12
NC: 10-25-12
NC: Broken early November 2012, OM not respond
2 girls; 7 and 10
Fear is payments on debts you have not yet incurred.

posts: 5835   ·   registered: Jan. 8th, 2013   ·   location: Central Missouri
id 6427184
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wantreallove ( member #37534) posted at 2:38 PM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Wow! What an awesome post! Thank you for sharing. Sometimes I get a glimpse of this and look forward to the point where everything starts to settle down. I too really needed to hear this today!

Me,BS 42 WH (masame5) 44 Married 22 yrs, 8 kids D-day 10/9/12 (caught him through fb chat)
D-day #2 11/19/12 thru 11/21/12 (found out about all the rest of the A's.) 8 AP. D-day #3 Oct 18, 2023 it's happening again... 3 AP's plus so many attempts

posts: 209   ·   registered: Nov. 17th, 2012
id 6427227
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OnAnIsland ( member #34319) posted at 3:04 PM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Thanks so much for this. I am so glad to hear you are doing well.

D-day: Christmas 2011
D-day 2: 3/28/2013

Married for over 15 years
2 beautiful sons

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Maya Angelou

posts: 1486   ·   registered: Dec. 28th, 2011
id 6427277
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FeelsSoRight ( member #28377) posted at 4:11 PM on Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

undonelife -

I am not post orignator, but I did comment that my situation a little over 4 years out is very much like Mrs. D's experience as posted.

Yes, I do love my H. I would venture to say I never did stop - even in his very worst days of our S. However, after how he acted during that time, the fact that he swallowed his pride and made the changes needed to be a much better H, father and person, I would say that is what made me acknowledge my renewed love for him - both to him and to myself. It took alot of true remorse and change in both of us to get to that place and it did not happen immediately - like "He's back so POOF! I feel love for him"...it kind of snuck up on me gradually.

The moment I knew I deeply loved him again was when I realized how when we first got back together that the fact he had had sex with someone else didn't bother me all that much anymore (I had been with someone else too after I filed D papers), but after we were back together about a month, all of a sudden it really started to bother me again. That is when I knew I was falling back in real love with my H.

It is not easy. It is not instantaneous. It is not even pleasant a lot of the time. But you just hang in there and see how it goes. If he consistently walks the walk as well as talks the talk, after time, your feelings will either come back or they won't. And if they don't...then you know what you need to do. If they do, you'll be in the place where I (and without speaking for her) it sounds as if Mrs. D is.

Me - W - 48
Him - H - 47
Together since we were 14/15
Married 27 yrs in August (renewed our vows in 2011-H's idea!)
DD-23, DS-15
Separated for 7 mos & were 3 wks from divorce when we reconciled
Happily R for almost 4 years

posts: 1451   ·   registered: Apr. 26th, 2010   ·   location: MO
id 6427363
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1yearago ( new member #40093) posted at 11:32 PM on Wednesday, July 31st, 2013

thank you...I hope I can write what you just did 4 years from now. I hope and pray, that my WS can continure with his IC and have the same results as your spouse. I needed something positive today.

posts: 6   ·   registered: Jul. 28th, 2013
id 6429500
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njgal480 ( member #24938) posted at 12:38 AM on Thursday, August 1st, 2013

Great post Mrs. Doubtfire!

My reconciliation sounds so much like yours.

I am 6 and 1/2 yrs post d-day and happy.

Our adult children have forgiven my FWH and have been huge supporters of our R.

I also kicked my FWH out after d-day and filed for divorce.

We were separated for 6 months before he moved back home.

Like you...I have put on a few lbs and am working on losing that weight.LOL

And, like you it was due to all of the dinners out and vacations that we have been taking.

I'm glad that you posted to let others know that R is possible.

It's a journey and a lot of hard work at first but it is worth it in the end.

Me- BS
Him- WH
Long term marriage
D-day- Jan. 2007
5 yr. LTA
Reconciled.

posts: 3174   ·   registered: Jul. 23rd, 2009   ·   location: NJ
id 6429604
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