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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

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At rock bottom- 2 years thrown away on a text

428 replies

yestocarrots · 11/12/2016 22:05

Just hoping for a bit of a hand hold. Sorry this is so long. I'm feeling very bleak right now and have no one to talk to. Please, someone, sanity check me. I am reeling from a turn of events that has put me into a depression worse than any I've experienced in a while.

My ex partner was an army guy. We lived quite separate lives because he was posted the other side of the country to my city, but we saw each other most weekends. He has known my dd since she was tiny (she's now 2). Been a dad to her in every way, it was like we were a family. We argued quite a lot always about the same things- he didn't communicate much at all during the week, often would only text, and would get angry and belligerent if I expressed a wish for this to change. I wasn't perfect- I had bad PND and would get very emotional in conflicts which seemed to frustrate him. I was working full time in a demanding job and running a home and being a single parent and I know I took shit out on him. But I also loved him deeply. Showed it in any ways I could. Keeping the house lovely for when he came, making plans for days out and little holidays, putting on Xmas for him including a stocking and a sack of gifts, sending him packages, kept myself available for him basically every weekend and never asked for more than just more contact in the week (which frankly he never made the effort to change.) Earlier this year he was posted abroad at very short notice. I was devastated and scared but we both mutually agreed we would not let it break us. Both of us were in bits the day he left.
Then it all fell apart. While he was away I got so used to us not being able to communicate at all, I just sort of shut down. But my eating disorder and depression came back with a vengeance. My periods stopped entirely and I nearly lost my job through stress. I found it impossible coping with work, health and my toddler, I missed my best friend and partner so much. I sent him packages but it was all I could do. I had bought him special notepaper to write to me and he never did, when I asked him to once he snapped and ridiculed me as he thought it was such a trivial thing for me to want. When I finally confessed I wasn't coping and didn't know how to deal, told him my health was deteriorating and I just needed to know a rough time of when he would be back, or needed some more support (I don't really have any IRL and I didn't get support from the army as we weren't married.) he was furious when I said all this. Accused me of breaking up with him, saying I had no empathy for the stressful situation he was in, was so angry it shocked and hurt me to the core. It was like the more upset I was the more angry he was. After a week or so of this I suggested we go on a break til he got back as the miscommunication seemed tto be so damaging (I now deeply regret this as feel it was selfish but literally at the time I couldn't stand this anger coming from him and the fact that in fact he had no empathy for me.)
Within a month he had a date to return to the UK. I asked how/when I could come and meet him off the plane at the base. He never got round to letting me know- he was too busy apparently. He didn't let me know he was back in the UK til he had been there almost a week. He then asked on the Wednesday if I was free on the Friday to meet and talk. I had a work commitment I couldn't get out of and said I couldn't, but asked how he was and how the journey was. His response- "Are you serious?! All that bullshit about priorities and you won't meet me. Bye then". I immediately replied asking why we couldn't do the weekend instead. He simply replied "don't bother contacting me again." All by text. I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe he did that. A month later he still hadnt come to his sense. I was missing him terribly but so hurt from his text I hadn't contacted him. Finally got up the courage and texted him. He responded so furiously and verbally abusively and yet we ended up sleeping together twice, him telling me one minute that I had hurt him so much and was a shit person with no empathy, then next that he loved me and was sorry i suffered so much when he was away. I was so confused about how he twisted it into me having done something unforgivable by not being able to see him when he decided I should. After 2 weeks of hell he texted me to tel me he would be no worse off if he ever saw me again. I've been bereft all over again. Calling him in tears- sometimes he answers and is reassuring, sometimes he won't answer but sends angry texts. Texting him how much I love and miss him, how sorry I am for what I did and begging him to see me. He has stopped responding altogether. I just don't know what to do. My dd calls him daddy- he said in a year it would be like he had never existed to her. I miss him so much, I can't bear how this has played out. I feel racked with guilt. I just want him to understand why I shut him out. I'm still having tests for my lack of periods, I'm still suffering terribly with my bulimia but he just accuses me of having no empathy and making his life hell. I feel so guilty I want to just hurt myself.

Sorry- I know it was long. I just need someone to tell me I didn't deserve this. He slept with me and told me he loved me just 2 weeks ago. I just want to curl up and cry. 2 years meant nothing to him in the end.

OP posts:
venusinscorpio · 13/12/2016 15:37

I would just focus on making Christmas lovely for your DD. Make stuff together, whatever. Keep yourself busy. Do whatever you need to. Even if it feels like you're just going through the motions. It will get better if you let it. If you keep going over it you will not be able to move on. Make some New Year's Resolutions. 2017 is a whole new chance.

paddlenorapaddle · 13/12/2016 15:47

Tbh he sounds married to me cruel and married

Have you ever been introduced to any of his family ? Or friends

Either way you are better of being in a real relationship then had over by player

Sorry Flowers

Nanny0gg · 13/12/2016 16:03

He's not a bad person.

From the things you've posted, I strongly disagree.

yestocarrots · 13/12/2016 16:09

He's definitely not married. He had a long term gf before me and I suspect he might have carried on seeing her when we first got together. I have met his mum once 2 years ago, his dad doesn't live in the country. I have been to a couple of his army friends weddings so I don't feel like I was being kept a secret. But I never went to his camp not sure if that's normal or not, never went near his workplace. He said it was because high security/he just has a single persons lodging there which I guess is true not sure if non married partners are allowed on camp. I asked him for his camp address and he never gave it to me but said he just forgot as he was too busy. Seems weird now really. The double life thing could be true in terms of him chatting to/even seeing someone else as he was very secretive over Facebook and phone. Since coming back from tour he said he had a month post tour leave and had then become incredibly busy at work which contributed to him not wanting the stress of our relationship. Doing 12+ hour days etc. I work in the City and his job sounds more manic than mine but that's all very sudden since he came back from tour he wasn't like that before.

I'm trying not to obsess but I need to rid myself of the crippling guilt I have felt nonstop now for 2 months since he was back. He made me feel like a heartless person. I would have gladly met him that weekend I never thought it would have caused that drama to say no. I shouldn't have had to deal with such a harsh response from my 2 year partner. You're all right that he was selfish. It blows my mind that he was possibly trying to cause a breakup when I thought he would just come back and we would work it out.

Any tips on how to feel better and feel angry/reframe thinking are much appreciated. I have resolved to get a Xmas tree this week for us to put up.

OP posts:
Allalonenow · 13/12/2016 16:17

That's great news that you are getting a Christmas tree, well done! Xmas Grin

venusinscorpio · 13/12/2016 16:30

I think it's very likely that he was deliberately trying to engineer a breakup. You didn't "cause" anything or hurt him. You shouldn't have to walk on eggshells in a healthy relationship.

loobyloo1234 · 13/12/2016 16:36

OP - I know this is always easier said than done but you need to stop over-thinking this now. He has checked out. He hasn't bothered to contact you for nearly a week knowing how vulnerable you are and have been. That is not the sign of someone who is loving and worth fighting for

You and your DD deserve better. Have you been Xmas shopping yet? That always cheers me up Smile

Start looking to the future - without him - he is not worth your tears. Trust me Flowers

everythingis · 13/12/2016 16:38

Make a list re Xmas tree and stuff. Declutter, make some plans for the new year. Life will go on and you will survive x

redexpat · 13/12/2016 16:48

Op you sound like a really lovely person who wants to really love and look after someone, who will do the same in return. It is never gonna be this guy. Read through your posts and see who changes their behaviour and for whose benefit. It is all you changing for him. You deserve so much better. No relationship is better than a bad one.

deste · 13/12/2016 17:27

Have you written about this guy before. If you have, i thought you broke up with him last time. If it wasn't you there appears to have been an awful lot of cruel guys in the army using girls the same way he has usd you.

yestocarrots · 13/12/2016 17:56

I posted about him in a rough patch about a year and a half ago. The money issues we had got resolved somewhat when he thought he was losing me. But in hindsight when he started giving me money the worse behaviour crept in. I put it down to guilt now as he even gave me money to buy a coat straight after a tirade of abuse at me recently.

OP posts:
venusinscorpio · 13/12/2016 17:59

He knew you would feel obliged to him if he gave you money. It allowed him to have you where he wanted you as he knew he could play on that to manipulate you. I doubt, judging by his subsequent behaviour, that he truly felt guilt himself for treating you badly.

deste · 13/12/2016 19:03

I don't like to say this but you have wasted another 18 months on this Guy and still nothing has changed. I think you got the same advice last time. Come on yesto, you and your DD deserve better than this.

ZippyNeedsFeeding · 13/12/2016 19:21

About not seeing his accommodation- if he was caught with you in his room he could be in real trouble. (The last soldier I was engaged to was 22 years ago though, it may have changed but I doubt it). However, the military tends to have a very active social side and there are loads of balls, dinners and other social crap throughout the year. It would be totally normal for you to go to those (you don't mention his rank, it may be different if we're talking about the Junior Ranks Club rather than the Sergeants or Officers' Mess, but the partners of soldiers tend to have extensive evening wardrobes!

Stepping back from the fault thing, it doesn't matter who did what or said what and there is no need for either of you to be to blame. This relationship was making you ill. You can't afford to go into a decline because he is away or being distant with you. You need time to heal first and then if you want a relationship, look for someone who is available more of the time. Being a military wife is not for you. It wasn't for me either, there's no shame in that.

Justaboy · 13/12/2016 20:08

I can't stand the thought of him being with someone else, I know it's stupid. I found out recently that he stayed with an ex-ex-girlfriend just 2 weeks after he initially got back to the UK and dumped me.

Please read what you wrote and see in it what a state your in and what a state he's making you this is not normal its nowhere near normal behaviour. OK it will be painful but you need this man out of your life now, please just get on and just!

DO IT!.

Bambamrubblesmum · 13/12/2016 20:27

You would be allowed in his room on camp. When I lived in single accommodation on camp I had my then partner stay over many a time. He's paying for accommodation, he would be entitled to guests. All he had to do was book you in at the guardroom, so don't think he couldn't he just wouldn't.

Can you tell us what his rank was because the 12 hours a day sounds a bit suspect as well to be honest. It won't 'out' him so don't worry.

Sorry to shoot holes but I think that part of getting him out of your system is realising how much you've been lied to. It will help you get angry and move on.

Allalonenow · 13/12/2016 20:56

He was certainly someone who was very good at compartmentalizing their life, and he was determined to keep doing that. Not giving you his address, keeping his phone guarded, only being available at specific times, controlling when you contacted him, it all speaks of someone with a lot to hide.
More importantly for you carrots it means that he was actually emotionally unavailable to you, he would never have cared in the same deep way as you did for him.

yestocarrots · 13/12/2016 21:48

Feeling so bleak again right now. Night time in my flat after dd is in bed is the worst time. I find myself going back over things and trying to remember how it all unfolded, figuring out how we got so damaged. It's so hard to accept that he may not have ever had 2 feet fully in the relationship. I desperately wanted it to work with him at the beginning and even then I felt he was slightly more distant. The angry outbursts, shutting me down, and the threatening to leave repeatedly all came over time. He could be so sweet. It makes me cry remembering how he could be sometimes and how happy we were, it made me so at peace and then somehow it all unravelled. We had the most perfect day less than 3 weeks ago and then it was all gone again. I can't stop thinking about him and can't believe it's over, like this. I know posters on here are right that I can't take all the responsibility but I just can't believe any of this has happened. I feel angry about some things but still plagued by self doubt about how my PND and insecurities made me act. Can you drive someone to abusive behaviours? I don't know. I know it doesn't matter. I'm just posting right now to get this out as I feel so alone and despondent. He doesn't care about my pain. I can't bring myself to block him etc I just don't have the strength.

For the pp who asked he is a corporal. I don't know much about what that means in terms of workload and responsibilities. He was so convincing about his work stress. I still feel a bit worried about him. I wish I could just turn off this love like he did his love for me.

OP posts:
Montane50 · 13/12/2016 21:49

Im totally convinced that hes a walter mitty (look on fb at the wmhc), i seriously question that hes in the forces

yestocarrots · 13/12/2016 21:57

Montane he definitely is.

OP posts:
Montane50 · 13/12/2016 22:20

Ok, hopefully you'll feel like you're coming to terms with it all soon-and realising he wasn't nice to you at all

Dontaskmegoogleit · 13/12/2016 23:31

Hi carrots, whether you were able to meet him on that Friday which he is so hung up on, the end situation would of still been the same so stop thinking about turning clocks back.

You are self harming with your bulimia, and you are also self harming by having this man in your life. Please sought help with your perception of yourself.
So far I've read about an independent mum who is self sufficient and capable most of the time.

Get your Christmas tree up, make a santa list by cutting up argos catalogue toys on a piece of paper with your excited 2 year old.

And with each day try and remove yourself a little bit at a time from his life.
You deserve so much more than he could ever give you.
Take care x

TheVeryHungryDieter · 13/12/2016 23:39

Oh OP this is ringing some bells. Was this the guy who was using you for weekend accommodation so he could go out drinking with his mates because you lived in London and would put him up when he came in drunk late at night (even though you weren't included on these outings because you have a small DD)? And you'd have to stay up late to let him in?

If so, I have to say, you didn't sound nearly so.. well, doormat-y on your last thread. But it certainly wasn't all roses then. Don't fool yourself into thinking it was glorious in the good ol days.

You do come across absolutely desperate to make it all your fault here. Which is understandable because if it was something YOU did then you could fix it, couldn't you? But you didn't do anything. He's a twat. Your self-esteem is clearly reduced to something for wiping feet on. If you keep him in your life it won't even be worth that in another year. Because he will be back. I hate to say it but while you're desperately inviting him to use you and abuse you for the sake of a few nice words and doing the dishes now and then, it's a comfy deal. And bound to look inviting again when he gets bored or fancies a shag. Please don't.

shatteredmumtobe · 14/12/2016 01:37

I'm sorry you're going through such a hard time......

However, I am an army wife and just wanted to give some input. You can get on camp even when they're in single accommodation, you can stay over at the weekends. Also, when posted away (even afghan etc) they do get allowances to use the Internet and phone. I remember when my now husband was posted to Germany when we were first together I used to get annoyed at him not calling enough etc during the week, so for that part I can get he may of shut down. To be brutally honest through the rest sounds dodgy at best, sorry OP but you deserve better and he gives army guys a bad name!

shatteredmumtobe · 14/12/2016 01:39

Also, regardless of rank (my husbands a captain) he would of had R&R time at some point when he was on operations, chin up it will get easier Flowers