All it takes is a good life partner with a positive unselfish attitude, even if that partner is just oneself, to make living feel bit happier and more effortless..
[This message edited by doggiediva at 9:20 AM, June 26th (Wednesday)]
As far as a good life partner, if this ends in divorce, I am done. Every man I have had a long term relationship has cheated on me. Literally. One in high school, two in college, one after college (who I thought I was going to marry until he cheated and then I met my husband shortly after), now this. I don't understand and it just hurts so bad. I can never go through this again. Obviously the pain this time is exponential because of the kids and the 13 years we've shared.
You are in shock and you are hurt.
You are not in the presence of mind to be anything but silent. Your heart and your head are swimming with too much pain and information.
Give yourself some time to process this and wrap your head around this devastating news.
Remorse and regret are two very different things. He regrets getting caught but he is not showing remorse if he hasn't reached out to you to see if you are okay, what you need, if you want to talk, etc.
The indicator of serious commitment to R is expressions of remorse. Expressions of remorse generally begin with an apology in words, followed by continued expressions in actions. This can be cards, gifts, being more helpful around the house, showing more affection, loving words, and more apologies. Saying things like "I don’t know what I was thinking", or "how could I have been so stupid?" or "I can’t believe I almost threw away what we had" are expressions of remorse for the affair.
Look for consistency in words and actions. A general change in overall behavior. A WS serious about reconciliation will consistently be contrite and sorry. Not just on D-day and the following days, but for as long as the BS is receptive to it.
Your husband needs to go to IC to understand how he allowed himself to cheat and how to own his choices and actions. If he is unwilling to do this, MC isn't worth your time or money.
Good luck. Take it day by day and know that you are worth being treated with love, dignity and respect.
(((hugs)))
Got a call from WS that he was called over to HR for a complaint filed against him. I couldn't help but be happy. He was afraid he was being fired, but luckily they are going to move him to another hospital. It was the OW husband who filed.
This finally opened up some communication. He's very angry with himself and very ashamed. His comments about facing consequences of whatever I decide are based on punishment to himself. He finally said he doesn't want to separate but that he made his bed and he's ready to lie in it. He said he still loves me and that I'm a good person who doesn't deserve this. Damn right!
If we could afford it, he'd actually want to quit his job. He wants no contact with people, especially women and assured me this will NEVER happen again. He said all he wants to focus on is me and the kids. Don't think I'm ready to forgive and forget b/c I'm not. This just seems like a baby step forward.
He is afraid things will never be the same and I told him thats why we're going to try MC. He is doubtful but willing to try.
Sorry to be marathon posting, but you all are all I have right now. I'm not telling any family or friends what we are going through.
Am I crazy or do you agree that this is a baby step?
Lots of hugs and tears from him last night, but still hard for me obviously. Especially when the mind movies start.
As for the house, wow that's a complicated one. I found out right after we moved into our new, bigger home. We'd sold our much more affordable house and had been in an apartment while ours was finishing up. Man, what I wouldn't give to have discovered the A BEFORE we signed all the final paperwork! Normally I'd say pull the house from the market and focus on you and your marriage, but I get that if you're in a difficult house to sell, an offer may just be too good to pass up. I think in your situation, if a true offer is to be had, grab it. Since you're not going to make a dime from the sale, honestly I'd rent after that. You do not want to be stuck with another house to deal with in the event R doesn't go well or doesn't work if you don't have to. Whether you rent 2 separate small places or a larger one together is another story, and up to you.
Your BS is being a complete blameshifting a**hole. This is NOT your fault! Men who get lots of great sex cheat, men with loving wives cheat, men in happy marriages cheat. It was a choice he made, it's as complicated and as simple as that.
I've read many times on this site, and have come to completely agree... you both need IC and he needs to quit with the excuses and blameshifting before MC is really going to do any good. We went WAY too early after Dday, he was still in excuse mode, rugsweeping, not TRULY remorseful and wanted to spend the entire sessions talking about how all of it was my fault. Unfortunately our counselor was all too accommodating, I think it did more harm than good. There's a time to work on the marriage issues (pre and post affair) but now is not it.
Like every one has already said, YES YES YES it's completely normal to feel numb and dazed, trust me the anger is coming.
Spend lots of timing taking care of yourself, read from The Healing Library, and get into IC with someone that specializes (or at least works with a lot) in affairs.
Hugs Betrayed07!
[This message edited by WoundedOpus at 8:02 AM, June 27th (Thursday)]
“I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I have just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well." ~ Diane Ackerman
Lay the ground rules, NC, access to all electronics, and emails, No unaccounted for time. IC and MC, so he gets to the Why of what he did. STD testing for himself, and you. Answeres any and all questions that you have. Whatever else you need. While he will readily agree to this be prepared to be vigilint. Verify everything. Snoop, make sure there isn't a second cell phone, a hidden email, etc. Hide a VAR in his vehicle. Pop in and surprise him at work occasionally. Activate GPS on his phone without him knowing.
He may get pissy with all the snooping, and questions, this is a red flag that he doesn't get what he has done, and is just feeling sorry for himself. You have to call BS when you see it. You will really benefit from wearing your Bitch Boots through this. Not being mean or vindicitive, but not tolerating anything less than honestly, love, and respect.
Keep posting, keep questions coming.
((((and strength))))
