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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Emotional Affair? What to do?

120 replies

mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 17:53

My wife began seeing her personal trainer outside the gym. I cheated on her almost 4 years ago. I say this just to put this in perspective. She sometimes still have emotional setbacks because of my unfaithfullness. My situation was not the norm though. I was out of the country on military duty (reserve). I was called home because my mother was deathly ill...long story short, my mother died. I had to preach her funeral because I could give no other man that honor...this cause me to repress all my emotions. Afterward I couldn't face the world so i returned to my military duty. I broke down while there, and what I now see as an emotional affair came full bloom during my grieving and I found myself in a position conducive to sex while I was weak and that's exactly what happened. I left the country, but continued the emotinal affair, waiting for it to die because i didn't want to keep her hanging on to false hopes. We chatted on FB periodically and yahoo messenger. My wife found the communication on my phone and I was completely exposed.

So, she still hurt sometimes. Since then I've completely regained her trust (I think) and her forgiveness. Yet, in a moment of sadness she allowed herself to be comforted by her personal trainer. This friendship, somehow found its way outside of the gym. I knew nothing about it until i began to smell smoke on her. Finally after i questioned her on the smoke, she admitted that she's been spending time with him, that he's her friend, that she has been in his apartment alone with him, that she has spent the many times she was late returning from the gym at his apartment with him and his girlfriend or him alone, in spite of my difiance, she insists on maintaining and nourishing this relationship. She tries to justify it and rationalize it based on my physical affair and my ministry to a suicidal teen who would call me openly and who i hid no communication from her initially. However when the kid became suicidal again, I began allowing short calls during the time i was home and i spoke with her in my wife's presence.

Each time i confront my wife on her behavior she tries to rationalize and explain it away. She has spent one ENTIRE day (dawn to dusk) at his apartment with him and his girlfriend drinking without so much as telling me where she was until she had been gone 7hrs. The next Sat, she left at 8:30ish pm and returned about 4am, again, not asking, consulting, advising in the least. She has done a photo shoot of him alone in a location they hiked to, yes-without asking me if it was ok...just telling me that she was going to do it (never showed me the photos). Last night she left angry because one of my former students texted me commenting on Turabian format...this student has aroused my wife's suspicion simply because she's female and has asked for my guidance, not because i've done anything or have spent any quality time with her. I didn't reply to the text and I told my wife what the text was and who it was from.

She took that as an opportunity to leave and she didn't return until after 4am. Again, she admits being over to HIS apartment.

I need to know if I'm crazy? She doesn't want to do any form of counseling...says that she loves him as a friend but is not in love with him. I read her texts (she allowed, but said she would never do it again and refuses to grant me access to any of her media) in one of the texts he called her luv. She defends him, but gives me hell, and say that I'm giving her hell, because I want to know what's going on.

after many argumental requests. She's never told me where he lives nor has she given me his phone number and I 've requested them all. Am I crazy or is this a very far gone emotional affair.

I've told her to end it and that i don't want him in our lives. I've told her that as her husband i have a right to put boundaries in her relationship with other men...she disagrees. Says she's grown and won't be controlled and can pick her own friends. I don't want to leave my wife and I truly don't know what to do. I've requested all access to her media, and i've insisted on therapy...even if it's just us using a program i downloaded from marriage busters, all with resistance. Please help.

OP posts:
Cherriesarered · 27/01/2014 21:11

Hiking?? Really, more like getting a good fanny lick in a sunny field with a fit chap! Good for her!

MeepMeepVrooooom · 27/01/2014 21:12

Sorry OP on this occasion if disagree with MN. I personally don't think from what you have said that she sounds like she is having an emotional affair... It sounds like she is lonely and quite sad and enjoying having a friendship with a couple. Not just a man but his fiance too.

You may be pinning too much onto this label of emotional affair. Even if (and I do mean if) she is having an emotional affair you need to get to the route cause of why she feels she has to go elsewhere for the emotional support she is looking for, I am not saying you are to blame but something in your relationship is missing and you both have to work on it.

If you truly want to work on your relationship you have to approach this with an open mind. If you keep telling her she is having an EA and she remains adamant that she isn't you are never going to get anywhere.

A bit of advice - drop the labels, drop the accusations and actually just have a conversation regarding your relationship without passing blame.

mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 21:38

MistressDeeCee,
Thank you. I appreciate your insight. I don't think it's unresolved, there was sincere remorse, repentance and forgiveness. I do think that there is still pain though. Well, I know there's still pain. I hurt her terribly. She's angelic in the way she was able to love me in spite of my cheating. It is too convenient and he's not always there, and I was told by her that she was not visiting his girlfriend and that's why she continues to go over when she isn't there. I really don't think i'm exaggerating, but I do appreciate the perspective of others whose passion and history is not tied up in this. That can blurr ones vision and I know I'm not exempt from being biased, or blinded. Nope...I'm not leaving my wife, and yes, it is time for a talk.

OP posts:
mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 21:43

MeepMeepVrooooom,
When you said:
"If you truly want to work on your relationship you have to approach this with an open mind. If you keep telling her she is having an EA and she remains adamant that she isn't you are never going to get anywhere.

A bit of advice - drop the labels, drop the accusations and actually just have a conversation regarding your relationship without passing blame."

I hung my head a bit because I know you're right. It's hard to have an open mind because that means proceeding with the possibility that i'm wrong...that's hard, but i know that I have to do it. I didn't want to hear that, but I needed to. I do need to drop the labels, but it seems that it's all I have that gets some attention. I'm convinced that we need to move forward and blame is too inflamatory and it naturally brings a defense. Advice taken. Thanks again

OP posts:
mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 21:53

Capsium said

"Look people do thoughtless, unkind things all the time.

If you want to move on you have to forgive and to some extent forget, at least put to the back of your mind.

Do not let this suspicion be the focus for your thoughts. Instead of writing a ticklist of suspicion write a list of what you love about your wife. Focus on that each day."

Thanks for this post. This is what I came to this forum for: help. MistressDeeCee was very helpful as well, as was MeepMeepVrooooom who provided tough but needed advice.

People in this forum, as in most others, are in pain for one reason or another. They try to make themselves feel better with the situations in their lives that have driven them here. Maybe present or past events, but by tormenting others who are in pain they medicate themselves in some warped way.

I hope my pain was able to give you some relief from yours. Someone went as far as criticizing my posting style...:) Really? Good luck to you.

Maybe you're a victim of abuse, maybe you're a divorcee or someone who has been on either or both sides of an affair. Maybe you've forgotten the pain because you can laugh at other people's pain. I honestly am glad I was able to do that for you. If I took to heart what many of you said, I would have stopped reading and would have found no help at all.

But thanks to Capsium, MistressDeeCee and MeepMeepVrooooom, who were honest and tough but cared enough to provide some sincere advice I just may be able to put things back together with my beloved.

Peace.

OP posts:
mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 21:56

Motu,

Did I say thanks? If not, thanks. Much appreciated input.

OP posts:
mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 22:02

Maidofstars,

You know, in a very rude and insensative way, you may be right. No argument from me.

OP posts:
EchoDragon · 27/01/2014 22:11

I agree maybe her relationship isn't right. But telling her what to do probably won't get you very far. You need to start rebuilding your relationship.

Talk to her listen to what she says. Have fun together, make time for each other. Give up the preaching at her and judgment of her. Make her want to spend time with you. Do all the things you used to do when you first started dating. Cause trust me telling her what to do and trawling her social media posts won't help.

MeepMeepVrooooom · 27/01/2014 22:20

I do need to drop the labels, but it seems that it's all I have that gets some attention.

I can see where you are coming from OP but you will find the attention that you get from saying these things will not be good attention. Whilst you are trying to fix your relationship you may find that these things said will be what ultimately rips it apart.

You are welcome for the advice. Just hope some of it works.

Good luck OP.

mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 22:26

EchoDragon,

100% right. Thanks for the critical guidance.

OP posts:
mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 22:28

Whilst you are trying to fix your relationship you may find that these things said will be what ultimately rips it apart.

I accept that. I got some difficult work to do and I will step up. I'm bigger than my frustration, and she's worth it. Thanks again.

OP posts:
mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 22:36

BrownSauceSandwich, I'm not a relationship expert, obviously; I may be wrong about the records, but that's what we were told by the counselor from before. Not that it's a right, but that it's necessary in a recovering relationship where trust has been broken to have transparency. I was required by the counselor to surrender all access to to my wife and I did. That's where my perception comes from. It's not getting me anywhere now though. That being said, I agree still that counseling is needed. I'll have to do all the compromising to get to a common goal it seems, so I guess i'll just have to do that. Again you're right: The problem is closer to home. (as hard as that is to hear)

OP posts:
mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 22:41

Wow Cherriesarered, is that how it works? We take turns...so it's my turn again next? No wonder you're on this forum. Sorry, but that's not how it works. No more for me. Good luck with your healing, something seems to be hurting really bad in you.

OP posts:
mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 22:50

Composhat,

Before I sign off, I'd just like to elect you to carry on on my behalf. For certain, no body knows me like you. You have stated with specificity the totality of my charcater and I'm sure, based on the content of many posters, you'll have like minds. Maybe you guys can completely analize my character in the following statement and find peace from whatever drove you here: "God loves you, Jesus died for you because your imperfections and sins separate you from Him. Accept Him and find true and eternal peace and healing." Good night

OP posts:
mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 22:51

Before I sign off, I'd just like to elect you to carry on on my behalf. For certain, no body knows me like you. You have stated with specificity the totality of my charcater and I'm sure, based on the content of many posters, you'll have like minds. Maybe you guys can completely analize my character in the following statement and find peace from whatever drove you here: "God loves you, Jesus died for you because your imperfections and sins separate you from Him. Accept Him and find true and eternal peace and healing." Good night

OP posts:
mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 22:54

hey, JoinYourPlayFellows,

Before I sign off, I'd just like to elect you to carry on on my behalf. For certain, no body knows me like you. Seems like you've known me for years. That's apparrent by your post. You have stated with specificity the totality of my charcater that you've obviously been observing for years, and I'm sure, based on the content of many posters, you'll have like minds. Maybe you guys can completely analize my character in the following statement and find peace from whatever drove you here: "God loves you, Jesus died for you because your imperfections and sins separate you from Him. Accept Him and find true and eternal peace and healing." Good night

OP posts:
mrneedyone · 27/01/2014 22:56

Uptheanty,

Before I sign off, I'd just like to elect you to carry on on my behalf. For certain, no body knows me like you. You have stated with specificity the totality of my charcater and I'm sure, based on the content of many posters, you'll have like minds. Maybe you guys can completely analize my character in the following statement and find peace from whatever drove you here: "God loves you, Jesus died for you because your imperfections and sins separate you from Him. Accept Him and find true and eternal peace and healing." Good night

OP posts:
Chippednailvarnish · 27/01/2014 22:59

I don't remember Jesus saying it was okay to fuck other women behind your wife's back, but that didn't stop you did it?

Fairenuff · 27/01/2014 23:04

my wife is distancing herself because she enjoys the company of another man. Simple as that. I love her and I know she loves me.

This statement is contradictory. You seem so sure that she loves you, yet equally sure that she's cheating on you.

However, if you think she is distancing herself, she will be emotionally detaching from you. That would indicate that she does not actually love you like you think she does.

Maybe she did to work on her marriage, maybe she wanted with all her heart for the relationship to work out. Unfortunately, that does not always happen.

Because of what you did to her, she will never see you as the man she thought you were. She will always be a little bit sadder, disappointed and let down. She certainly will never respect or trust you 100% and sometimes that means that a marriage cannot be forced to work even if that is what she genuinely wanted. You are no longer good enough for her.

I would recommend that she spend time on her own without either of you to decide what she wants for her future. I'm glad to hear that she is not allowing you to boss her around though, she still has high enough self esteem to see herself as independent from you and that augers well for her.

Tweasels · 27/01/2014 23:20

What the fuck is going on?

Chippednailvarnish · 27/01/2014 23:21

No idea Tweasels, I suggest you ask Jesus Grin.

Fairenuff · 27/01/2014 23:23

As far as I can see, Jesus said to treat others how you like to be treated. OP cheated on his wife and she thought, ah, so that's how he likes to be treated and is now returning the favour.

UptheChimney · 27/01/2014 23:24

Maybe you guys can completely analize my character in the following statement and find peace from whatever drove you here

Oh well, this is typical for AIBU.

OP posts something quite assertively Grin and gets a string of answers s/he doesn't like, so turns it all back on other posters.

Yes, yes, we're the ones who are inadequate and seeking something by posting our private lives on AIBU. Oh yes.

Tweasels · 27/01/2014 23:30

I've spoke to Jesus and he is not convinced the OP is all that he claims to be. And I can't get deleted for that comment because Jesus told me to write it.

Chippednailvarnish · 27/01/2014 23:48

Tweasels can you also ask him for this weeks lottery numbers (weds and Sat) and if it's okay if I screw other men behind dh's back, 'cause I get the impression that the Op and I know different Jesus's ( anyone who isn't Jesus is welcome to help me with the correct grammer for more than one bloke called Jesus).

Ta

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