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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

The one who got away - but I never even met him

36 replies

Forestfires · 04/02/2021 02:02

Several nights ago I was lying alone in bed because my husband had left for the spare room again because of my snoring. It's a sexless, intimacy free marriage. We get on ok usually but I miss being kissed properly and held tight and feeling wanted. He will give me a peck on the lips and occasionally rub my shoulders which is nice enough but there's zero passion or connection. It's my own fault, I knew he was autistic and I still married him.

Anyway as I lay there feeling alone I suddenly remembered someone that I met online 10 years ago. So long ago. He contacted me on a dating site several years before I met my husband (we met on a different dating site, long distance). This man was such a breath of fresh air compared to all of the other guys I spoke to who were really not great. We had lots in common including a very niche interest that he picked up on straight away. Added to that he was gorgeous, funny, creative and very clever (research scientist). We emailed for over a month, I felt quite intimidated by his intellect but he seemed interested in me, he was always fun, unique and enthusiastic and ramped up the flirting. I'd suggested meeting quite early on and he'd said he could be tempted. We kept up the chat, deep discussions on life and the universe, sensual flirting, joking and sharing stuff about our lives and interests. However I think I pressured him too much by asking again a month later (I had a holiday coming up and wanted to meet before that). He disappeared on me. I wish I'd not said anything now, just kept up the chat and waited to see what happened. I was quite upset at the time but apart from the odd reminiscing I hadn't thought of him that much until now. That first night I just lay there unable to sleep for thinking about him. I remembered the things he'd said and how much he'd turned me on. I wasn't very sexually experienced but I wanted him so very badly.

Anyway I can't stop thinking about him. I found a photo of him online and he's still as pretty as I remember. It's funny I was never able to find anything on him back when we were talking, don't think he's on FB or anything. But I found it tonight, a picture taken of him at a work event. I just stared at it for ages, sad bitch that I am. And maybe we wouldn't have even gotten on if we'd met but there it is, the big "what if", never to be known. And now I'm constantly thinking about him and fantasising. Longing for him when I have a husband here who can't give me what I need.

Just feeling miserable and nostalgic.

Anyone else had similar?

OP posts:
billy1966 · 06/02/2021 19:23

Don't waste your life on a mistake.
Flowers

bitheby · 06/02/2021 21:35

[quote JackieweaverhasALLtheauthority]@bitheby maybe you SHOULD read the full thread before being snarky and unpleasant[/quote]

Maybe some of you should be less ableist.

BeautifulStar · 06/02/2021 21:45

And the other day when I asked for a cuddle he grudgingly gave me one but said it is "bothersome". I just feel pretty rejected a lot of the time

Oh please just end the relationship OP - life is far too short for this shit. You sound starved of affection - that is the only reason you are projecting your unhappiness onto some unfulfilled fantasy of a relationship with “the one who got away”.

Otter71 · 06/02/2021 22:34

I am autistic. I never did hugs with exh. We divorced and I now have a new partner, also autistic. Turns out it wasn't that I don't like hugs just that I didn't like his hugs. 2 years in and I still can't get enough. Leave him to work on what he really wants...

Forestfires · 11/02/2021 15:05

Thanks, I'm having a good think about what I want. Certainly, I never got married wanting crumbs of affection and to be rejected like this. To the point of being completely blanked and ignored sometimes. I have spoken to a few good friends about this, it was good to open up.

This is his second marriage, I don't think he was even that attracted to his first wife but she was nice and pursued him so he married her. They have a DC and are still friendly.

I feel bad thinking about all that we've been through and how much money has been spent getting us together but this is like death by a thousand cuts. Also I have a sick parent and the lack of support and inappropriate jokes are very wearing. I'm also thinking about if something bad were to happen to me in future he would be unable to support me through it. It's no way to live.

OP posts:
mylovelydd · 11/02/2021 15:13

Sorry you've only been married a year and the last time you had sex was a year ago? Confused

Nevermind this bloke from years ago, dump your husband.
You sound miserable in this marriage and I don't blame you!

Forestfires · 11/02/2021 16:34

Last time was during the honeymoon. Funnily enough he was really keen to consumate the marriage when we got back to the hotel after the wedding but then it was back to the usual fobbing me off. And I don't even have a high sex drive. I'd be happy with once or twice a month.

The thought of going back to online dating again at some point fills me with horror but I don't want to live the rest of my life feeling so alone and unwanted when he's right there.

OP posts:
TheSnootiestFox · 11/02/2021 16:41

OP how old are you? There is a reason I'm asking....

And @bitheby, ODFOD. I spent 15 years in a predominantly sexless marriage to someone who it transpires is autistic. I gave that relationship every ounce of my being trying to accommodate him. Its not a case of being ableist its acknowledging just how much damage being married to someone with autism can do. I am broken for life now because of it. Get the fuck a grip Angry

Forestfires · 11/02/2021 17:07

I'm in my early 40s. Not much relationship experience so I hung onto him. It's not all bad, he's funny and intelligent. It's just like living with a roommate.

OP posts:
TheSnootiestFox · 11/02/2021 18:50

@Forestfires yep sounds just like my ex. No at early forties you need to me moving on in my opinion. It won't get any better I'm afraid. If you were younger with small kids I'd say hang in there until they at least get to school, or if you were say, in your sixties I'd point out that sex might not be such a priority soon. But you're still young enough to start again. I called it when I was 45 and have never looked back. This was 3 years ago and it struck me a couple of months ago that I've not once missed him. Its really sad but please don't let it go on as long as I did, because it really won't get better x

Forestfires · 11/02/2021 19:10

Thanks, it's a difficult thing eh. He's a kind person with many good points and he can't help much of what he does but it's so difficult to deal with at times. You will know from your own marriage. It's exhausting trying to plan everything around his moods.

I do worry about the impact on him, he said sooner or later everyone leaves and he has very bad depression and been suicidal at times. But he's always been like that, it's not just happened since we've been together. And I think he'd be happier alone. The funny thing is he's tried to get me to break up with him before by acting out but I just held on like an idiot. I'm always doing stupid stuff x

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