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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
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HELLO EVERYBODY, MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN TOGETHER 8 YRS. AND MARRIED SINCE OCT. 2002. BACK IN APRIL SHE MOVED OUT AND BEGAN AN AFFAIR WITH A COWORKER OF HERS. HE'S GOT A GIRLFRIEND AND TWO CHILDREN BY THIS WOMEN. I ENDED THE AFFAIR BY CALLING HIS GIRLFRIEND AND TELLING HER WHAT WAS GOING ON. NEEDLESS TO SAY MY WIFE WAS VERY ANGRY WITH ME. SHE TOLD ME TO STAY OUT OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP. IN JULY MY WIFE MOVED BACK HOME TO SEE IF WE COULD WORK IT OUT.I WAS THE PERFECT HUSBAND CATERING TO HER EVERY NEED. IT'S NOW AUGUST AND SHE SAYS SHE WANTS TO MOVE OUT AND BE INDEPENDENT. SHE SAYS SHE DOESN'T WANT TO BE MARRIED TO ME. SHE ALSO SAYS SHE DOESN'T LOVE ME AND FINDS ME UNATTRACTIVE.THE FACT THAT SHE STILL WORKS WITH THIS GUY MAKES ME FEEL LIKE THAT MAY BE PART OF THE REASON SHE FEELS THE WAY SHE DOES. HERE'S MY QUESTIONS TO EVERBODY. 1. AM I FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE SHOULD I JUST GIVE UP? 2. IF SHE DOES MOVE OUT SHOULD I KEEP IN TOUCH WITH HER? 3. SHOULD WE TRY COUNSELING? IF SO HOW DOES A THERAPIST GO ABOUT FIXING A MARRIAGE WHEN ONE PARTNER WANTS OUT. ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL. I LOVE MY WIFE VERY MUCH AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE HER.
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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,018
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HI TROD, First... to answer your question... NOT NECESSARILY... although you haven't been married all that long.... you ARE married....
This could be a LONG road... there is a lot for you to do... READ READ READ... all that is on this site..
LEARN LEARN LEARN.... it's all about filling needs.... the other man (OM) is filling them or your W wouldn't be with him... The important thing to remember is... NO SITUATION IS IMPOSSIBLE... (look at my story WAY BELOW.....)
We will be here for you.... save your anger.... yelling.... venting and crying for here.... it's very painful but YOU WILL GET THROUGH IT..
PRAY....PRAY... PRAY.....AND PRAY..... God will help you fight for your Marriage.... WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.... I don't want to overwhelm you at first.... you need too find out your Wife's most important needs... (I bet you think you know... but you probably don't have a clue if you're like I was...)
I'll check back with you when I can... GOOD LUCK AND PRAYERS... FRANK sorry... you need to be here <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> BUT YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU FOUND THIS PLACE... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> HERE IS A GENERAL WELCOME WITH A LOT OF HELPFUL HINTS...
posted December 29, 2000 08:33 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to all new Builders of marriages... newBies...
The people here represent men and women trying to improve their marriages. Many have just begun, others are vetrans of many years. All struggle with the challenges of marital love; although others have fallen into deceit and betrayal. When infidelity enters the relationship, we have here both betrayed(faithful) spouses and betrayers(waywards) alike and the occasional Other Woman/Man/Person (OW/OM/OP), and all filled with pain.
All of us are really here to try and build or rebuild our marriages... and we are trying to use principles and concepts that are espoused by Dr. Willard Harley of Marriage Builders(MB). Initially the acronyms/abbreviations are overwhelming... check out a summary of them HERE.
There is a wealth of information here at this site, starting from the Marriage Builder's Home Page.
If you're new to the ideas being presented here at MB start off with Dr. Harley's Basic Concepts.
Many of us need to start immediately working on our marriages and a sound understanding of Plan A and Plan B is crucial! For most everyone... Plan A... is an excellent starting point!
You'll see a barrage of "terms" which you might guess the meaning of... a better alternative is to look up what they mean at this site... Words like (click on them to find out): Love Busters, Love Bank, Emotional Needs, Giver and Taker, The Policy of Joint Agreement(POJA).
You'll need to learn more about, not just marriage building... but self building too! The learning isn't going to happen overnight though... look at the Articles and Infidelity Q&A. The real learning is best aided by obtaining some of the books from the MB Bookstore... of most important for those marriages involving infidelity, or soon to be, is "Surviving An Affair" by Dr. Willard Harley. This is the 'bible' for this forum. Other books can be very useful as well... like "His Needs, Her Needs", "Love Busters", and "Give & Take: The Secret to Marital Compatibility". There will be many other good books that the MB people will recommend... take their advice... they've been around. There is a post that lists many of these non-MB book recommendations... Books.
Most of all... you will find compassion and love here. As an open forum there will always be some who come here not to help, but with other agendas; however, the vast majority of "members" do not judge... are not demeaning... and have no malice of heart! There are many who are here to simply help... and this includes not just for those betrayed... but the wayards as well! The people here have all had their lives thrown into a whirlwind of despair, confusion, and sadness. We've all experience gut wrenching emotions that we though could never exist, in anyone's idea of humanity. Feelings of hatred, love, disillusionment, envy, rejection, emptiness, deep depression, and on and on... Again, these are felt not just by those betrayed... but in time by the waywards too. Even when no infidelity is involved, similar feelings in marriages gone astray have overwhelmed so many.
Just the books and facts aren't going to get you through it all... not without support. That's where we come in! We care... because we know how it feels. Believe it... You are not alone! Come to this forum to vent... to cry... to laugh (a little)... to express your feelings... to advise others... or just to get away!
You're probably going through H*!! right now... don't go it alone... remember... you are not alone!
There is never any guarantee to save all marriages... life doesn't work that way, unfortunately. The Harley's make no guarantees either... but offer the hope of self-improvement, self-healing and a refocusing of one's self to build esteem... and to live a life of satisfication again! We can, and do guarantee, to give you help... to build back many vital aspects of your life and sanity.
Post... Post... Post... Reply... Reply... Reply... READ! READ! READ!
I've been speaking on behalf of some very dear friends... as well as some complete strangers too..., when I've used "we"! But... if you're here... join with them... they will join with you. We do not always agree with each other on how to handle situations... but each of us is offering to you advice based on individual experiences. Search out those people on the forum that have experiences similar to yours... and ask... ask... ask!
To help us understand your situation a bit better, and for you to get more responses, it is recommended that you provide a "story" of yourself.
Consider putting your profiles as a standard reply to the ===> Profiles post. Information similar to that is also found in the ===> Roll Call post would also be appreciated. An historic listing can be found at (history) of Roll Call. When you get to know the personalities here a bit... there is a summary post listing the names alphabetically ===> Roll Call Index
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There are several 'infidelity' forums to meet the needs of many and allow you to do some more specific posting... Just found out......for those new the forum... pre/post "discovery" of an affair or possible affair. Plan A/Plan B...usually after "discovery of the affair"...for those with questions of "what to do now?" In recovery...when a commitment to work on marriage by both spouses has begun. General Questions II... the most used forum... very active!... very supportive!
There are many other forums... all of which can be reached from the home forum site.
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Weekends and holidays tend to be slow... ...sometimes, very slow... Be patient with responses then...
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Once you've found you way around the MB sites... you may want to check out a collection of ===> Notable Posts/Threads written by forum members.
--------------------------------------------
Where two or more are gathered...
-------------------------------------------- *** Originally authored by NSR ***
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 475
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 475 |
Well, clearly from Please Help's case nothing is truly over.
Like PH said, read up on this site. I bought "How to survive an affair" and I hear "His needs, Her Needs" is a good book.
Learn what her EN's are and what EN's the OM was fulfilling.
The things she's saying are typical Fog responses. Your love bank with her is very low so she doesn't feel "in love" with you but I'm sure she still loves you. Just like my WW is with me.
1- Don't give up until you are ready to leave the M 2- Form a plan of action. Plan A is usually the first step so you would keep in contact with her. 3- MC is always good. You might want to even go for yourself.
God bless
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,105
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Trod, if you feel led to do so, there are two marriage reconciliation sites. One is called Restore Ministries www.restorem.org and the other is Rejoice Ministries www.rejoiceministries.org. Both of these couples remarried after divorce (and there was adultery in both cases). I don't know if you are a Christian or not, but the Lord can heal your marriage. There will be alot of people telling you though to move on (including in here). You need to pray and ask the Lord what His will is and what you should do. "You will find me when you seek me with all your heart." If you seek the Lord, He will direct you. God bless. My personal opinion is that you are not fighting a losing battle and yes, there is hope. I probably represent only about 10-20% of the population though who will tell you to move on and get it over with. About counseling, sometimes it can do more damage than good. I used to think counseling was the "only" way, but I have since learned that it is actually not always wise. The counselor might tell you it is "doomed" etc. and might discourage you from doing what you feel you should or want to do. I pray that God is close to you and gives you strength and wisdom.
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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,018
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TROD... Are you OK? FRANK <small>[ August 08, 2003, 10:03 AM: Message edited by: PLEASE HELP ]</small>
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11 |
HI FRANK,
I'M COPING AS WELL AS I CAN. IT'S HARD TO EAT,SLEEP, AND JUST STAY FOCUS. EVERYTIME I'M DOING SOMETHING THE THOUGHT OF WHAT A GREAT TIME MY W AND I USE TO HAVE CREEPS INTO MY HEAD. SHE'S MOVING OUT SATURDAY 8/9. I FEEL SO ALONE AND HELPLESS. THERE IS NOTHING I CAN SAY OR DO TO KEEP HER HOME, SO I'M GOING TO PLAN B. I SEE NO OTHER CHOICE. I HOPE SHE REALIZES WHAT SHE'S LOSING. ONLY TIME WILL TELL
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Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 8,016
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Read the links below.
1. AM I FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE SHOULD I JUST GIVE UP? It's not a losing battle and you should not "just give up."
2. IF SHE DOES MOVE OUT SHOULD I KEEP IN TOUCH WITH HER? Yes, of course. Don;t hound her though.
3. SHOULD WE TRY COUNSELING? You should. She probably won't consider it and will probably get mad if you bring it up. Simply mention it & let it drop. Don't argue with her about it. I recommend you call Marriage Builders (see below) It's not necessary to have both people in counseling to save a marriage.
IF SO HOW DOES A THERAPIST GO ABOUT FIXING A MARRIAGE WHEN ONE PARTNER WANTS OUT. By teaching the other partner what they can about relationships and how they wor.
Don't go to Plan B until you understand a bit of what has happened and what you can expect to happen.
p.s. Turn off your CAPS LOCK. It's difficult to read and it look s as if you are yelling.
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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,018
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TROD, I'm sorry for your pain... I've been there... no sleeping... no eating (I was 190 lbs and lost FORTY POUNDS!!)
Chris is right...it's WAY WAY too early for Plan B....
PLEASE understand... PLAN B is NOT a method of getting a spouse back... it is NOT a trick plan to have your W change her mind...
it is FOR YOU.... to protect any love you have left for your W...AND it really is a means of self preservation too.. You obviously still love your W..
PLAN B IS HARD.... VERY hard...read the posts of people in Plan B... if you go back on it.... it really hurts more than it helps......Your W will do a Plan B of sorts herself IF she does move out...
Try and convice her to stay... and move into another bedroom... IT IS VERY VERY HARD to get them to come home... it took my W TWO YEARS....!!
She is probably scared of moving out... and.... hopes she can remain friends with you.... SOOO..... tell her that she can stay, move into another room and you can be friends (or learn how to be....) If SHE no contacts YOU it will be next to impossible to fill ANY needs...
PLAN B IS A LAST RESORT....like divorce... don't do either unless you MEAN it..... and can stay with it.
Don't worry...you can get through this....stay online and talk to us... vent here..not to your W... PLEASE read this site.... you have to get up to speed.... The weekend is slow here.. like I have a Wedding tomorrow... I'll check back in the moring before I go...
I will be praying for your Marriage.. GOOD LUCK AND PRAYERS.... FRANK
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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,018
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TROD, How did it go Saturday? Please let us know.... FRANK
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