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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

dumped on valentines day

239 replies

bikerchicken · 14/02/2012 10:34

background: Met last year in March. He divorced, 2 kids, solvent etc. Me, div, 0 kids - had been living a bit of a fancy free lifestyle, lots boyfriends etc.
So, everything started ok but then we had a conversation one night last Arpil and the next morning he ended the relationship by text saying I was being negative and it was obvious that I had intentions of possibly seeing other men (we had been talking about being in contact with ex's the night before. he keeps no contact, I still have a text of one whom I have no feelings for, nor him me but we share a hobby).
Life went on and then he phoned me a couple of months later saying that he had made a massive mistake and could we get back together. So we did as I did like him a lot.
Then we had a fantastic 7 months together. Got on very well, lots of fun, great sex etc etc.He said that he had never committed to anyone since his divorce but in his mind, I was the one that he wanted and he (in his words) was totally in love with me. He also said he was addicted to me and wanted to be with me forever. I was (am)in love with him too, but I wasnt addicted.
However every now and again there would be a blip where he would start thinking that I was sleeping with someone else (I wasnt)and he wanted to spend every night with me. My job takes me around the country for 1-2 nights a week and I attempted to adjust it but I still had to work. If I went away he would say the house felt empty with me not being there and he missed me. It would get quite dramatic at times when he would say that i was waiting for an opportunity to go back to my previous lifestyle.
Ocassionally he would have a bit of a quiver about me being away for work (I would always phone at night and we would talk for ages)and said that there was no evidence to say where I had been. But essentially things were good. One major problem was that he loves xmas and I hate it (my dad died at xmas) and I was working so he felt that xmas was ruined.
So life trotted on, good times were had. When he had his kids he would not like me to do other things on my own for part of the weekend and would tell me that I wasnt bothered about his kids (i was and when I offered to spend time he said no). When we were together we had an amazing time in each others company and I thought that we were doing ok.
Valentines day comes along. We had booked to go out tonight and I had got him a card/present etc which I thought we would be exchanging tonight and I told him this. I was picking up a cake for him, had champagne etc and was looking forward to the gift exchange. We spent the evening together and I wrote a b/day card to a friend and then went to bed. Recently I noticed he hasnt been telling me he loves me as much and he has been less demonstrative. However he decided that he was getting my card present out and it was in the kitchen this morning. I said that I was looking forward to giving him his and I would see him later.

So, I get to work and I have a text saying "i sat next to you last night watching you write a card to your mate and you didnt even get me a card. Its not the card that is the issue but you are taking the piss"
I was so upset and managed to speak to him at work. He said that I take the piss, I am all take, take, take and that although he loves me, he doesnt trust me. He also said that when i am away with work it is obvious that I am shagging other blokes. This isnt the case.
So, i am here with all his presents and Ive been dumped.
I feel so upset and its my first time posting.

OP posts:
something2say · 17/02/2012 08:01

Sorry to hear all this love. I imagine your self esteem is low yes, but it will get better over time. Its such a shame that he has these issues from his past, but really I think what he was doing was early days control. What he is saying is, I have issues and YOU have to pay for them. It is your job as a woman to mend my emotional issues.

It is very telling imo when people don't have friends and don't like their partner doing normal things like going out and socialising.

Sorry you have to go through breaking up tho, it sucks. Hopefully a better man comes along. You sound quite normal and balanced to me, wanting to get on with life and have fun. This guy is just throwing emotional spanners into the works, with no backbone to go and get himself sorted out and then start to take emotional risks like normal people, find it OK actually, and get on with living life and having fun - like you do.

MigratingCoconuts · 17/02/2012 08:17

I remember my ex slowly convincing me that my friends were all dull and not worth spending time with.

I really did enjoy re-discovering their friendships after he'd gone! and I shudder to think what would have happened to those friendships had the relationship gone on for another year.

LiarsWife · 17/02/2012 08:37

STBXH bitched about and ran down my best friend and drove a wedge between us ... judging my friend and her husband became one of the things we had to talk about(I'm embarrassed to admit!Blush)

My best friend has supported me every day since the split and we have talked it through. I am so lucky to have her!

Biker you are doing great ... make the most of your friends they sound like a great bunch!

saintlyjimjams · 17/02/2012 08:39

God he sounds awful (have only read OP will come back later). Count yourself lucky, run for the hills and find a lovely supportive man who isn't going to control you.

bikerchicken · 17/02/2012 08:55

Thanks everyone. I feel upset this morning but Im sure it will pass. He's on my mind constantly like a playback cassette. I'm aware my esteem is low because I have thoughts of 'no one will love me/find me as attractive as he did'. I need to work on that one! He said he put up with so much from me (working late etc) which hurts. These are intermingled with the good stuff. However I have downloaded the freedom book the dominant male and I'll start reading that later. I've recovered from a parent death and life threatening illness so I'll recover from this. The temptation to text him is huge but I'm sitting on my hands. I'm in that trap of thinking I should have done things differently and I wouldn't have be in this situation. My rational mind says that's not true. Thanks again.

OP posts:
Lueji · 17/02/2012 09:01

Good morning. :-)
Your feelings are normal.
I still occasionally remember the good times I had with ex. But you know what? What I want is not him but good times with someone who loves me.

I'm sure nobody (normal) will be as obsessed with you as he was. Hopefully the next person will be happy to give you your space and respect you.

I hope your hands don't get a mind of their own. ;-) Why don't you just delete his number from your mobile?

solidgoldbrass · 17/02/2012 09:01

It isn't true because this man is a shithead who would have found something else to bully you over. You are really, really well rid.

Anniegetyourgun · 17/02/2012 09:37

Something I read a while ago - suspect it may have been on MN or someone linked it from MN (or maybe I made it up, but I think I read it) - is that it is harder to get an abusive ex out of your head, because they groom you to think about them all the time. Everything you do is coloured by how the partner might react to it. They make it all about them and you gradually become more anxious as you focus on not getting them upset. You think you're working at the relationship when what you're actually doing is turning into a shadow of yourself, giving up everything that made you unique, hovering round the Great Planet like an anxious satellite. You stop going out with your mates because the fallout just isn't worth it. You watch everything you say in case it's taken the wrong way. Every minute of every day is spent carefully not rocking the boat. When you split you're still thinking about them all the time because you're in the thoroughly ingrained habit of doing so. It takes time to school yourself out of it; sometimes a lifetime if you were schooled into it by abusive parenting.

mrspnut · 17/02/2012 09:39

I agree with SGB again, you could have been with him 24 hours a day and he still would have found something to pick you up on.
It's his problem not yours and your friend telling you how great your other friends are speaks volumes about your ex.

cerys74 · 17/02/2012 10:04

Totally agree with Annie - people often say things like 'My heart tells me to...' when in fact their heart has been schooled to react a certain way.

On paper (or screen anyway) this guy does NOT sound good and the fact that a lot of people here have related similar-sounding experiences means that you're not the first to encounter this sort of situation. Listen to the ones who escaped Biker, you'll be glad you did xx

Blu · 17/02/2012 10:41

Good grief, working late isn't giving a partner something to 'put up with'! Would you feel your partner was making you put up with a lot if they were a fireman or paramedic or other person who works shifts and weekends? It would be inconvenient sometimes, but hardly a personal slight!

And yes, the whole dynamic of abuse is to destroy the very capacity which would help you stand up to it - your self esteem, your friends....

SparkleSoiree · 18/02/2012 00:16

Bikerchicken I hope you enjoy the weekend plans you have been looking forward too and it helps to start replenishing some of your confidence and self-esteem. Smile

MAYBELATERNOWIMBUSY · 22/02/2012 05:39

sounds corny i know, and i can only speak of my own take on my own relationships >jelousy in ANY form will be like a terminal disease and the relationship is doomed, the loosest "chains" are the tightest, TRUST, total unquestionable TRUST is a pre requisite for success, start with that and a more solid base you will be hard put to find . lose this guy , PLEASE !!!

TubbyDuffs · 22/02/2012 07:06

Please resist the urge to text this man. He obviously wants to isolate you and control you.

You are a strong, successful woman and you don't need this "man" to worm away at your esteem any more.

If he gets in touch again, tell him to delete you or you will block him. In fact just delete him and do not look back. Please, I was almost defeaned by all the alarms going off just in your OP nevermind the subsequent ones.

He is not a prize catch, he is not worthy of your time.

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