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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

My wife / partner of 25yrs is leaving me for another woman.

91 replies

saddad2021 · 26/06/2021 21:44

So i guess i should just cut to the chase. My wife (43yrs old) who was apparently happily married to me, prior to this uncontrollable infatuation with another woman (37yrs old) has told me she has unfortunately fallen in love, and she can't stop the feeling. and this other woman who's also married with 4 kids, feels the same about my wife. She's sorry for all harm and destruction its going to cause but its apparently like a freight train that neither can stop. i have two boys 14 and 16 who are still none the wiser on what's going on. Making matters worse is we're all still living in the same household together, and my wife doesn't even try and hide it.. Like right now, she's on the phone to her in her car somewhere. Been there for an hour. I know this sounds like she's a complete c word. and right now she is, but this was one of the kindest caring humans i and many others felt about her. A month ago we were holding hands watching a sunset telling each other how rock solid we are together, and now she's on the phone with her new lover. She has NEVER EVER cheated on me. Always been faithful. Actually i was the douche at the start of our relationship. I went out for a lunch with a girl from work, testing the waters 20 yrs ago, and she nearly had a breakdown over it. She smashed my phone, was uncontrollably crying for days, lost weight from not being able to eat and while we got over it took yrs before she fully trusted me again. i know she isn't full on lesbian, because she really did love me, and crave me. Perhaps the last yr, she did seem like she started transitioning. Spending much more time talking to her female friends, some of which i know as a friend, (not the lover though) meeting them for beach walks. And she actually started going out more often with the couple of female friends she has, but respectful. Never a woman who said she was going somewhere and went somewhere else.. Actually she told me before actually doing anything with this other woman, that both had fallen in love with each other, before they kissed. Everything in our relationship has been shared since we got married at least. There's never been any secrecy. i know it all sounds like complete madness, and it really is. She's in tears (perhaps a little crocodile tears at times feeling sorry for herself, and feeling she's let her family down) she isn't saying, i'm going to end it with this woman and fix things with me, she is genuinely trying to figure out how to make it all work.. Her and this other married woman with her kids. all somehow living together ??? We're financially solid together. Paid off all our debts, don't owe a penny to anyone. Have a beautiful home in paradise. (SW Florida) We both moved here together in 2004. then had our two children. We're both british so have a lot in common. I'm trying to make sense of all of this. How powerful must a woman on woman attraction be for her to want to throw absolutely everything away on this ??? She's always been a bit tomboy ish. Like never wore makeup well or never felt comfortable in a dress. But she's very attractive. Pretty and cute, petite and one of those bodies that never puts an inch of fat on. A little bit like Ellen Page was before she / he all went transgender. If i was to describe a woman that reminded me of her while not exactly, but it would be her. Kinda cute and dinky and magnetic. I know she's had lots of attention in the past by other men, all of which she brushed off with ease. What i loved about her apart from being an amazing mother prior to all of this, is she's never looked for attention. Her hair is just tied back, no makeup or very little when going to work where this other married woman works, but for whatever reason, its like this lesbian attraction has an unbelievable hold on her.

I don't know for sure, because the final kill for me is when she tells the our kids, She called her parents this morning in England today to tell them everything, both of which said STOP and think about what you're doing. I even spoke to her dad, who obviously loves his daughter but knows only she can make the right decision.

I'm going to see a therapist on Tues to figure out what i need to do. i know what they're going to say. Break away make a fresh start, you don't need to be tortured like this.. BUT i am trying to save the marriage. You don't just give up on your family so easily.. We seem to just be bickering now more than being best friends. But even during some of the last week, we both used each others shoulders to cry on. I told her this needs to stop, either its me and our family or this other woman. But she's definitely leaning towards this other woman, even though its a train wreck waiting to happen. Any advice from a woman who perhaps is that way inclined, who may understand what she must be going through would be appreciated.

OP posts:
RogueMNerHidesUnderBigHat · 27/06/2021 01:31

I agree with the pp who say it's about the infidelity, and not about the sex of the person who that infidelity was committed with.

I also MASSIVELY agree with those pps who think your tone is well off.
Transitioning?
That way inclined?

Some of what you write and your choice of words definitely gives me the ick.
But I'm sorry for what you're going through
Your dc are old enough to make up their own minds

AcrossthePond55 · 27/06/2021 01:59

BUT i am trying to save the marriage. You don't just give up on your family so easily.

You can't 'save' something that the other person is no longer interested in saving. You can't fight for something no longer worth fighting for. And a marriage where one person cheats and no longer loves their partner is NOT worth fighting for. And it isn't 'giving up' to acknowledge that and get the help one needs to move on.

I'll give to you the advice I've given to women in the same situation: the very best thing you can do for yourself, your children, and for the coparenting you'll need to do with your STBXW is to behave with dignity through what's to come. You'll keep her respect, the respect of your children and, most importantly, your self respect.

YoungYankee · 27/06/2021 02:48

Some pretty vile responses here. An affair doesn't magically become a good thing because it's a woman cheating on her husband with a woman, or because the husband in question uses a bit of weird phrasing.

rosalie11 · 27/06/2021 03:09

This is so bizarre and so sad at the same time. All you can do is move on. It’s not you maybe she just found who she is which is bi

LittleRa · 27/06/2021 03:23

It’s funny, I never see replies on threads by women about their husband’s affairs (with men or women) that say “good for him!” or “looks like he’s finally broken free”.

NannyAndJohn · 27/06/2021 04:04

@LittleRa

It’s funny, I never see replies on threads by women about their husband’s affairs (with men or women) that say “good for him!” or “looks like he’s finally broken free”.
The women don't tend to talk about their husbands as though they are slabs of meat.
sfeirical · 27/06/2021 04:44

@LittleRa

It’s funny, I never see replies on threads by women about their husband’s affairs (with men or women) that say “good for him!” or “looks like he’s finally broken free”.

His posts smack of homophobia and misogyny, so truly good for her for finding someone who loves her for who she is and not just for her appearance, and not someone who thinks he can try to force a woman to stay in a heterosexual relationship when she's already said she wants to be in a lesbian relationship. I have zero sympathy for this man.

sfeirical · 27/06/2021 04:46

@LittleRa

It’s funny, I never see replies on threads by women about their husband’s affairs (with men or women) that say “good for him!” or “looks like he’s finally broken free”.

Also when Philip Schofield came out as homosexual, he was praised by everyone in the media and little thought was given to his wife and children.
Why is it that he's praised, and when a woman does something similar, although much more honest and thoughtfully, others are so quick to vilify?

Ijustreallywantacat · 27/06/2021 05:17

Also when Philip Schofield came out as homosexual, he was praised by everyone in the media and little thought was given to his wife and children.
Why is it that he's praised, and when a woman does something similar, although much more honest and thoughtfully, others are so quick to vilify?

How do you know how Phillip Schofield came out to his wife? He's still married to her, they've just bought a house together, and was quoted in the media as saying that his greatest concern was whether she was OK. Theres never going to be an ideal way to say to your spouse 'I'm not attracted to you', but he at least seems to have gotten pretty close.

OP, the way you're putting this across isn't great to say the least. There are no specific signs to look out for in a lesbian. You couldn't have known, and I'm sorry but it seems as though she's made her mind up. I think you need to lawyer up and deal with this, though please remain decent towards her for the sake of your children. She'll calm in time. This must be a confusing time for her as well. Also, please don't put up with throwing phones and tantrumming.

Ivymundane · 27/06/2021 05:31

No woman leaves a long marriage like that for anyone but herself.

Funny, men just don’t seem to listen. Women normally do listen, that’s probably the biggest difference and your downfall.

HeronLanyon · 27/06/2021 06:12

Interesting I couldn’t work out whether you were male or female for some of this thread (until you talked about her ‘transitioning’).
Obviously you are in absolute shock that your wife has fallen in love with someone else and surprised it is with a woman. I am sorry this is happening.
A lot of your post reads homophobic - as of it is bewildering that a woman could fall in love with a woman. No doubt this is due to shock. The quicker you understand that whether a man or woman for everyone involved particularly the children best for you not to add a level of prejudice.
Good luck op.

BritInAus · 27/06/2021 06:19

I'm a woman 'that way inclined'. I'm really sorry to hear your marriage is over. That must be incredibly difficult to accept.

But I need to say the fact it's a woman shouldn't be what you focus on.

Also, you say she 'can't be that lesbian' as she loved and craved you. Well there's no chance I would ever have sex or a relationship with a man again (and haven't for 15+ years) but there are many, many same-sex attracted people who were once in a relationship / marriage with an opposite-sex person and that may well have included attraction and a healthy sex life.

Right now, she's made a choice to pursue a new relationship, which will understandably be devastating.

As you have children, I hope you and your wife will both focus on their needs above anything and behave kindly when together and not say awful things about the other in front of your kids. Your kids will do a million times better if their parents continue to respect each other (if only outwardly) - I wish you all the best sorting out the practicalities and moving on with your lives.

Deathsquito · 27/06/2021 06:29

You are too over focused on who she is having an affair with. Whether it’s a man or a woman, your wife has told you she loves someone else, you need to work through that.

I have sympathy, but I also understand others bristling at some of your words, though you may not be aware why.

The only men that I’ve seen praise women for ‘not caring about attention’ or ‘not having to wear makeup’ have been controlling and very insecure asses to a man. You also discuss her looks as if that has any bearing on her sexuality, along the lines of ‘oh she can’t be a lesbian, she’s looks to cute!’

Either way, it doesn’t make what she is doing any less cruel. Any man doing this exact thing to his wife would be getting called shit to a dog, and frankly I have the same opinion of your wife.

Love isn’t instant, the cheater has at some point in the past failed to stamp out what started as an infatuation. And any past relationships should be ended respectfully (completely, not still living together) before the next ‘one’ is lined up.

Real life rarely works out that way, but she still could be doing better. Not discussing the new woman with you, not dithering about choosing and burdening you with ‘how’ she’s going to possibly make it work.

You need to decide what to do next, for yourself.

CatpissEverdine · 27/06/2021 08:52

I was in a controlling and abusive relationship with my ex (he doing the control and abuse, not me).
I wanted to get out for years but stupidly stayed 'for the kids'
The relationship broke down irretrievably when he trained to be a counsellor and decided I was mad. He was desperately insecure. Constantly focusing on my looks and accusing me of being overtly flirty with other men and having affairs.
During the horrible and traumatic split where we were still having to live together I fell completely head over heels with a woman. It was out of the blue and like an obsessive infatuation.
I am not sure why I am writing this but I felt a bit of empathy for your wife and a huge amount of sympathy for what you must be going through. My ex partner is still very focused on the fact that my new partner is a woman. It drives him nuts. My teenage sons are also not comfortable with it and I think that somehow that is fuelled by him. I have very gently introduced her to my family and we still do not live together - and it has been 3 years. I think it's inevitable that she is going to want to be with this woman and make it work (sorry) - please try and not obsess about the fact she left you for another woman. She was obviously not happy. It must be incredibly hurtful for you to bear but she has come clean about wanting to be with someone else. Best to deal with that and with dignity. The teens will be devastated for now about the split, please don't make it harder for them. It's cruel of her but having been in that situation I understand the torment of knowing that you have to do something very unkind in order to eventually be happy

Quirrelsotherface · 27/06/2021 08:57

Can't possibly compare to Philip Schofield, whose wife likely knew from the beginning

PinkiOcelot · 27/06/2021 09:05

I can’t believe some of the responses on here. They’re absolutely disgusting. And whoever gave the biscuit should be ashamed!! Is it because he’s a man?!

Your wife is being despicable OP. You need to tell her to pack her bags and go. Stand tall. Don’t let her take he piss out of you any longer.

Bitesizerainbows · 27/06/2021 09:18

Just because she’s fallen in love with a woman and then been honest about it doesn’t mean she deserves to lose her children.
File for custody?!
I’d say the same about a man who met someone else and told his partner or wife. The issue is between the two of you, alienating her from her children over her sexuality is not acceptable. Compulsory heterosexuality is a thing. She may have always suspected but not known for sure. If she is gay it’s not her fault.

66babe · 27/06/2021 09:25

She's having an affair
It's wrong
Who cares who it's with ?
She can't help herself then ok she can explain to the children and then you must decide on the next steps
Financial and practical matters , glad you are having therapy
It's horrible but totally irrelevant that it's another woman

Tryalittletenderness · 27/06/2021 09:32

If I were you, I would want to keep the boys in the family home with you for the most part. They can then choose if they wish to visit your wife’s new family home once set up. They are both old enough to make up their own mind. But the family home will be their place of stability in this time.

As for your relationship with your wife, let her go.

Karmalady · 27/06/2021 09:32

She’s cheated and having an affair…it doesn’t matter who with. There are no excuses, it’s poor behaviour by her.

Seek out a good lawyer, and there must be plenty out there, and organise a divorce, splitting of assets, child maintenance, and custody/access arrangements for the kids, whoever they stay with.

Her sparkly new romance may or may not last, but that’s her problem.

Sort yourself and the kids out, and hopefully, in time, you’ll meet someone who’s your soulmate.

It’s a rotten time, but people get through it in the end. It’s pointless to trying to save a relationship with someone untrustworthy.

Good luck.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 27/06/2021 09:36

@Deathsquito

You are too over focused on who she is having an affair with. Whether it’s a man or a woman, your wife has told you she loves someone else, you need to work through that.

I have sympathy, but I also understand others bristling at some of your words, though you may not be aware why.

The only men that I’ve seen praise women for ‘not caring about attention’ or ‘not having to wear makeup’ have been controlling and very insecure asses to a man. You also discuss her looks as if that has any bearing on her sexuality, along the lines of ‘oh she can’t be a lesbian, she’s looks to cute!’

Either way, it doesn’t make what she is doing any less cruel. Any man doing this exact thing to his wife would be getting called shit to a dog, and frankly I have the same opinion of your wife.

Love isn’t instant, the cheater has at some point in the past failed to stamp out what started as an infatuation. And any past relationships should be ended respectfully (completely, not still living together) before the next ‘one’ is lined up.

Real life rarely works out that way, but she still could be doing better. Not discussing the new woman with you, not dithering about choosing and burdening you with ‘how’ she’s going to possibly make it work.

You need to decide what to do next, for yourself.

Brilliant post 👏
Whoarethewho · 27/06/2021 09:36

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bitheby · 27/06/2021 09:38

It's possible for people to be attracted to both men and women. Don't get hung up on whether or not she is 'full lesbian'. Labels don't necessarily matter but she's likely bisexual and has possibly only just realised that.

I'm sorry you're going through this difficult time and I hope you can both come through it and into better places.

MimosaFields · 27/06/2021 09:42

Your boys are 14 and 16 so they will understand that sometimes marriages break. My son was 12 when I got divorced and he has adjusted perfectly well.

Just get a lawyer, start amicable divorce proceedings and try to get in with your life. Your wife has met someone else and there's nothing you can do to change that. She's so over you that she's not even trying to hide it.

I hope counseling helps you. It's a big change for everyone but especially for the person who feels abandoned (in my case that was me). But it gets better and an amicable divorce will be much easier and cheaper. Lawyers sometimes try to drag things to increase their earnings. Don't fall for that. Nothing is going to make your wife love you like in the past. That phase of your life is over

SecretRedhead · 27/06/2021 09:43

Also when Philip Schofield came out as homosexual, he was praised by everyone in the media and little thought was given to his wife and children.

The big difference is the method. Phil hasn't cheated on his wife that we know of. They're still married and best friends and everyone praised his honesty and bravery. If it had come out because he'd had an affair, the narrative would have been Very different.

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