No more meet ups with male friend. Sad

[sundaybluestoday]

I've known this man for four years we met randomly in a pub and we supported each other through lockdown. We used to meet up lots for drinks, dinner etc but both knew that we wouldn't have a relationship. I'm single with an autistic child who is very challenging and his messages and meet ups were a great outlet for me. He had gone quiet for a while and when we last spoke he talked about another women a lot and I suspected they were dating. He invited me to his birthday party last night and she was there and he confirmed they were seeing each other. Am I being silly to feel gutted that our friendship is likely over now with no more meet ups. Feel utterly depressed today.

Or maybe you will get on well with her and it will be the beginning of a new friendship along side the old one?

Am I being silly to feel gutted that our friendship is likely over now with no more meet ups. Feel utterly depressed today.

Which one of you has old fashioned views that are making you depressed, you, him or his girlfriend?

Old fashioned views?

No, you’re not being silly at all. Perfectly natural to be sad at the end of an era. Hope you can come to terms with the change before too long & move on yourself. Or maybe as @sharptoothlemonshark said.

Well yes, I assumed the reason you think your friendship is likely over now, is because either you, he, or his girlfriend doesn't think men and woman can have platonic relationships?

Sorry if I'm wrong, what is the reason then?

Do you have romantic feelings for him?

Why do you think the friendship is over?

Didn't he just invite you to his birthday party?

It's perfectly normal to be upset when a good friendship becomes more distant, and I agree that this is probably going to happen if his relationship continues. Especially if his new girlfriend is a mumnetter .

It is also normal to feel a bit sad when you see a friend embarking on a lovely new relationship which will hopefully bring them happiness and fulfillment when you are single and have a life that would make it difficult for you to do likewise. Even if you are content being single, these are the times you question it. I'd say just wallow a bit and lean on other friendships.

Did you see him as more than a friend deep down?

It seems to me that he is trying to continue your friendship by inviting you to his birthday party to meet his new girlfriend.
I presume he has spoken to her about you and your friendship and knew she would be happy to meet you.
As she is now an important part of his life, it would be nice if you could perhaps become friendly with her as well, as any friend of his would.
He may not have as much free time to see you now but I’m sure you are still his good friend and hopefully, soon hers as well.
This is the way forward OP, spread the love and friendship.

Invite them both to something. Make an effort to get to know her. Maybe you’ll get two friends instead of one from knowing him.

There's no reason your friendship has to end provided that a) you respect the fact that new couples need to bond and that naturally sidelines established relationships for a while and b) you welcome the new girlfriend as a social connection.

Well he did just invite you to his birthday party so why would the friendship be over?

Did you want to be more than friends?