Good morning. I still haven't re-read my long assed post from last night. If you couldn't tell by this point, I just write in one long verbal diarrhea styled vent. Whatever is in my head, replaying conversations, thoughts, feelings, etc., just comes out unfiltered. And then later, I’ll go back and read what I wrote and half of the time I’m thoroughly embarrassed by it and can’t believe I put pen to paper like that. So I still haven’t processed anything but I did read your posts in response. As always, they made me think. And I want to comment on a few of them.
D or R? (see? I can learn to use the abbreviations too) I have not made any decisions and do not plan to for a long while. I keep both possibilities open, and while I have told my wife that D is possible, I don’t do that to twist the knife, but simply to lay the facts on the table and let her know that it is a possible, and perhaps likely consequence of her actions. Having said that, I WANT to reconcile. Or better said, I want to want to reconcile. I still love her even while I hate her. And I don’t believe she deserves it, no matter how many years we were together or for all the things she’s done for me while we were married. If I choose to reconcile, it’ll be because I feel I deserve it. Meaning that I’ll feel that reconciling is best FOR ME. Maybe that means I’m being selfish, but there you have it. And then, just because I may want to doesn’t mean I can. Doesn’t mean I’ll be able to do what needs to be done, even if she’s willing. I have no clue about that. So for now, I just want the truth and take it one step at a time.
You should really ask her about other affairs, or at least inappropriate relation between her and any other male during your relation, pre and post marriage. I know this will tear her apart but how do you know there have been no others? She is broken but for how long has she been? You just realize she was able to cheat but you don’t know since when she has been able to do it.
MrHealed – First question I plan on asking when we go over her timeline this weekend. And while I have absolutely zero intention of following up on the polygraph thing, I have no reason not to let her believe that I will, and so I hope that my reminder of her having to pass a polygraph will induce honesty.
The rest of your post was full of good advice. Especially the part of keeping in mind that she’ll be trying, even though what she’s says will be painful for me to hear. Thank you.
In my opinion you need to tell your oldest ASAP. Like take work off today tell her. Your younger ones will need the support.
Her parents also need to know. The kids CANNOT feel like they are keeping a secret.
Eric1 – Agreed. She said she’ll be doing this. I will check in on her later to see if she has. She does have her IC appointment tonight so I can see her waiting until tomorrow – maybe she’ll ask for advice on how to handle? I will mention that it’s not good for the girls to not be able to commiserate with their sister. One day is okay – beyond that is not.
Wantthistostop – Sorry if I’m sharing too much. I don’t mean to trigger anyone and I apologize if my posts have caused you more pain. And thank you for the rest of your post. I really appreciate it.
And I love your name because that’s exactly how I feel. But I can’t make it go away. I’ve told my kids over and over that life is full of challenges. It’s how we deal with them that defines who we are. Great fatherly advice, eh? Now imagine Morgan Freeman saying it and you could put it in a movie trailer. Now go live it. Yeah. Exactly.
I just want to say that in all the years I have been on SI I believe I have never read of a WW appearing to so quickly totally own her shit. We all know how horrid her actions were, but this woman truly appears to already be at remorse.
1985 – I’ve found out a few things in my short time here at SI. We all have different marriages. I think about some of the posts that people sent me and I see where a lot of it comes from. Some people had good marriages. Some didn’t. Some people’s spouses were remorseful. Others left for the AP. And people’s advice carried those experiences forward. And I understand that. And I value it because a lot of the advice was tremendously helpful. It brought me out of denial, shock, and forced me to take some action. It gave me things to think about, things to confront her with, inner strength to deal. I cannot express my gratitude enough. But again, all marriages are different. I got some flak for “putting my wife on a pedestal” which may be a common thing. I was told she’s the enemy, etc. But then again, I know my wife (or I thought I did) and I know my marriage. Yeah, we had issues. But I do know how we were. And at the core, my wife is not just a good person. Her friends make fun of her and call her Mother Theresa. She never accepted any awards or accolades or honors for any of the work she’s done. She doesn’t flaunt it. Doesn’t send in a check and call it a day. She rolls up her sleeves and gets in there. She’s patient and kind and giving and super altruistic. And that’s why this thing just doesn’t make any fucking sense to me because this whole thing is just not her. Yet here I am, so how do I explain it, huh? My wife is a “do the right thing” person. But she did this. Yeah – mind fuck. Look, if she left me for AP, I almost could understand it because it would fit in with her nature more. But she didn’t. Maybe it’s out of fear, I don’t know. But here’s what I do know. Her whole life has been about giving people hope, helping others, we have 5 kids for that reason – she believes every one is a gift from God and is an opportunity to mold into someone special – and instead she did something that caused utter destruction and pain. I know why she freaked and was complete mess when confronted with that. I’m surprised she didn’t completely short circuit or try to harm herself. But her trying to fix it and make amends? That’s who she is. She got a proverbial bucket of cold water dumped on her head and her sister knocked her head around a few times to boot. She’s waking up, it seems although I’m still scared to death she has happy feelings about POS. But her doing something to rectify some of the damage she’s caused? That’s her for 27 years.
One thing I wanted to warn you, I wouldn't commit to R right now. With the kids knowing about the A, you're going to feel a lot of pressure to say you forgive your wife. You're going to start thinking you're the bad guy for not just forgiving her. I mean look at her, she's crying and throwing up, etc. Poor her. blah blah. She brought this on her self. Don't do it. Don't forgive her now in the heat of the moment. You don't have all the information, and she doesn't deserve it.
mike7 - I completely agree. I can be a hard ass at times. This will be one of them. I don’t know what they’ll say, because who the hell ever knows until you’re faced with the situation, but I plan to be gentle but firm. This is for me and Mom to work out. They can help by supporting us in our efforts to work it out. But beyond that is for us.
Not necessarily doubting her, but you always wonder if it gave her a little bit of a high to be "missed" by her lover. When you get the timeline and your answers you will hear things that will bring you to your knees. You will be so completely disgusted with her. To be honest, the only thing that will prevent you from reconciling is simply whether YOU can. You may not be able to get over this. You may never be able to look at her the same way again. Right now we don't know what she did, what she said to him, what she said about you. So... prepare yourself if you can.
Yeah. I know. See my comments above in this post. The second question I have on my list for the weekend. “Do you still love him?” I’m going to ask details. I need to. It’s killing me. I hope she’s honest and at the same time I hope like hell she lies her ass off.
They shouldn't be asked to hold their mom up. That's her job.
confused615 – I’m sorry, but I emphatically disagree. In my family we rely on each other when one of us needs it. We help each other and support each other. Of course they should be able to express their feelings. I will encourage that. They should vent, be angry, hurt, scared for the future and of course my wife and I must be there for them to help them through this and shower them with love and affection and do our best to remain a family no matter what happens between my wife and I. But I absolutely believe that at the same time, they should be there for their mom. Tell her they love her. Help her when she needs it. Tell her they forgive her if they can get there. Step up and help around the house if things are too much for my wife. Do the things that families are supposed to do when someone needs help. I don’t look at it as “holding her up.” I look at it as being her daughters.
[This message edited by Walloped at 9:14 AM, August 19th (Wednesday)]