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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:
TheoMeo · 28/06/2021 07:08

I would concentrate on your future and your boys.
How will you manage on one income, yours, who will keep the house, will the boys mainly reside with you, have you got your pension sorted, can she claim some of your pension. I've no idea about US divorce arrangements - get a solicitor now. Where will you live if you move out (I don't think you should, better she does). Will your boys want to move in with a stranger and her children or would they prefer to be with you?
Get planning.......... if her new relationship should fail you can then get back togethr, but to remain hopeful that this will happen and let your major decisions be influenced by this is a bad idea.

Sakurami · 28/06/2021 09:20

His wife didn't cheat!!

Will people read the post properly!!!

She split before starting anything. She told op.

Myotherusernamewastakenagain · 28/06/2021 17:31

@Sakurami

His wife didn't cheat!!

Will people read the post properly!!!

She split before starting anything. She told op.

She was having an emotional affair, that is cheating.
saddad2021 · 28/06/2021 19:11

@candyflossss

I actually think I understand why you've mentioned the fact she is attractive and the stuff about attention. are you saying it because you wanted to get the point across that this is totally out of character/she didnt go out of her way to look for attention despite her being a very good looking woman?

aside from this, I'm sorry that your marriage is breaking down. that must be very hurtful and confusing for you. I'm not sure I can offer any advice but I think you need to come to terms with the fact that this is probably it now anyway. even if she decides actually no she doesnt want to leave, this was just an infatuation trust issues will remain.

she must be feeling very confused too. all round it is a hard situation to navigate and I wish you all the best with it. there will be other people on this site who have been the partner in a situation where their other half had an affair/cheated and how they came to terms with it. hopefully, you will have some on soon or you can look for threads from the past.

I am sorry you've had some very harsh responses as well when you were clearly coming here for some support and to gain some kind of clarity. I think some have just read into the way you've worded things a bit too much!

Yes your first paragraph describes exactly what i meant by that. i am a little taken back by some of the spiteful comments saying 'well stop treating her like a slab of meat' ???? Honestly i don't know enough about this forum, as i am a guy, and i was only looking for answers that i wouldn't be able to find in the typical tech / automotive forums i typically participate in.

My wife said to me, she still loves me and if she was able to roll back the clock 2 months she one hundred percent would. She was HAPPY. We were HAPPY. Its just that she's found something in her that is was totally unexpected and its hit her like a freight train. (her own words) She's not a full on cheater. She's a good woman, and a good person. Everyone going about looks ?? For the recordI was infatuated with her personality when we first met more than anything else. Perhaps when i wrote the OP i was in distress as my wife was in her car talknig to her new lover. Anyway, meeting my wife all those yrs ago, it turned into huge crush almost instantly. She's magnetic. I know this other woman isn't going to let up, because i think my wife is one in a million. She works with young children who all love her to bits. The other woman obviously fell for my wife as her children went through my wife's class, and that's probably where the connection started. Anyway man or woman its all illrelevant to me. She's fallen in love with someone else, and whilst i'd take her back in an instance i need to be realistic. She's not saying it was a mistake, i want you back.. she's planning on to make it work with this other married woman. The other married woman was apparently in an unhappy marriage, and is already seeking a divorce.

Our kids found out this weekend. It was incredibly painful for everyone. So painful that my wife called it off with the other woman. Turned off her phone, so she could try and stick with her decision . But i know its an impossible feat. Love is love. it can't be stopped. Only once the relationship is well into its course and the rainbows and sprinkles fade, which it will will she know she made a mistake... If we had a fractured relationship prior to all of this, things would be different. We didn't. We did so many great things together. Moved to a different continent. Start a family. Paid off our debts. Got excited going out. Never once did we ever split up. That to me speaks volumes. Yes i would take her back. I don't care if she's bisexual. I find other woman attractive. I just don't pursue it cos i know where it all ends up. I think if we can somehow get over this, she would be a lot more cautious. I really don't know. I'm going to give her some space. Try to stop being jealous and angry. And hopefully she makes the right decision. If not i'll seek legal advice and given we have such a good history together we'll split amicablly. Everything has been 50/50 as we've been together for yrs. My children will most likely not want too much to do with the other family. But they'll still love their mother, who still loves them more than anything.. But its of course a different type of love for this other woman. I don't think i've 100% lost her, but i think given they both work together, are probably as i type this crying in each others arms. Neither prepared to leave the other alone, i think my number is done. I really hate to say it.. Of course for me, but as for my two boys.

OP posts:
Jesskir89 · 28/06/2021 22:37

Just sending a hug op. Hope you're doing ok

HogWeedBlisters · 28/06/2021 23:40

@Karmalady

Quite. It doesn’t matter if she’s having an affair with another man, a woman or a donkey….it’s still cheating.

If men are bastards when they have any sort of extra marital relationship, then women are as well. Anything else is double standards.

There are no excuses..if you’re not happy, or you love/fancy someone else, then end one relationship before starting another.

It does matter if she is having an affair with a donkey. That would actually be illegal even in Florida.
HogWeedBlisters · 28/06/2021 23:41

@youvegottenminuteslynn

To be fair the PS situation is very different to many others - it was openly known for donkeys years in the industry that he was gay but loved his wife dearly and that she had a don't ask don't tell type policy.
Jesus - why is it that donkeys have to be exposed to this carnality.
Novavee · 29/06/2021 08:29

Hi OP

I am sorry you are going through this and I can understand why you find it difficult to believe that your wife of 20 years has suddenly come out. You might think it's an infatuation, something that cannot survive long term, and I get it might be easier for you to think like that.

As a woman "that way inclined", who has had relationships with men in the past, and is now in a 10 year relationship with a woman that also had relationships with men, I can tell you that when you finally accept who you are, it is completely different and you can't go back. My wife describes us as finally realising what was right and how everything that came before was wrong without even her knowing it. I am not saying that is what your wife feels and the fact that neither of us was in a relationship at the time makes all the difference. Your wife describes it as a freight train. I would describe it as an unstoppable force.

That is probably what your wife is going through. It is like a film being removed from your eyed and you can finally see. Of course she says if she could she would go back. Coming out is one of the most difficult things a person has to do even when there isn't a spouse and children in the mix. She doesn't want to hurt you or your children but she can't live pretending this didn't happen andsahe isn't who she is. Even if it doesn't work out with that woman, it's not like you can all go back and pretend all is back to normal and she hasn't found a massive part of herself she didn't even know existed.
Saying that when all the sparks are gone she will realise she made a mistake is incredibly dismissive of her experience which is bigger than falling in love with someone else, though.

I guess you lost a lot of posters with your description of looks etc, despite your intentions. There's this ingrained idea that a lesbian has to look a certain way and from someone that had to deal with similar comments when coming out in the lines of "you can't really be a lesbian, you're so pretty and wear make up and heels" I can tell you those assumptions are incredibly offensive and who you are has nothing to do with your personality, the way you dress or wear your hair.

You describe meeting your wife and feeling an immediate crush. It seems the same has happened to her with someone else.

I understand you are hurting and just want your life to go back ti what it was. I do not believe I could ever go back to a world where I have a relationship with a man. You can love someone and not be in love with them and rhat could be the case with your wife.

I think you need to acept that your wife has fallen in love with someone else, which is awful but happens. You might want to think about therapy to work your feelings and help your children understand that who their mother is and how your marriage has ended has nothing to do with her relationship with them.
Good luck.

charlotteself · 29/06/2021 08:53

Lots of PP have said it's irrelevant that it's a woman she's cheated with. I disagree.

If she had cheated with a man then perhaps it was a mad moment and you could win her back, if she's actually saying she's a lesbian this is a different matter.

So is she saying she doesn't want to be with you because she's gay? Or she's been having an affairs because she's unhappy in some other way?

saddad2021 · 29/06/2021 12:20

@charlotteself

Lots of PP have said it's irrelevant that it's a woman she's cheated with. I disagree.

If she had cheated with a man then perhaps it was a mad moment and you could win her back, if she's actually saying she's a lesbian this is a different matter.

So is she saying she doesn't want to be with you because she's gay? Or she's been having an affairs because she's unhappy in some other way?

She's not saying she doesn't want to be with me. She is in matter of fact trying to stay with me / family. She called it off with the other woman who was apparently sobbing in tears all day. This other woman all in the space of a couple of weeks has told her husband of 16yrs and 4 children, its over. She has already just bought a new property and thrown it under the nose of my wife. Hinting that this could be there place together (with her 4 kids) But the home is no way big enough for my kids. Not even for visitations. Its just too small. Even her children are going to have to share rooms.

My wife is being completely 100% honest with me. She said she doesn't know. She's trying but she doesn't know. I know that sounds incredibly unfair on me. She is questioning herself on her sexuality and she is not sure if she could ever go back to the way things were. She's keeping herself emotionally distant from me, so i don't get messed around.

I'm giving her the space she needs, but we're all living together and actually sort of getting along. She didn't want to cheat. She told me, that she had fallen for another woman, so she didn't have to cheat. Cheating and sneaking around is completely out of character for her. But she's not trying to put me under any false pretenses. Its one day at a time. The problem is they work together and this other woman who's already thrown it all away, is going to be unrelenting. She keeps sending my love love messages, and whilst my wife is not responding she's still in love with her. She knows if she does give in she'll possibly lose her children. Not as in never seeing them again. but lose them at not being able to be around them every day. She's their protector. Always on top of them, to make sure they do well. Also she really struggled when she saw them uncontrollably shake and cry, begging her not to leave. It put her through incredible pain. We were always a close rock solid family.

What i don't know is if i should wait and hope they fall out of love or stop the pain go see a divorce attorney leave her to be herself and start my own healing. At our age the financial impact would be huge. We'd have to sell the house at the worst possible time. The smaller homes are horribly overpriced where we live. If we sold our perfect 4 bed family home, we could get two 2 bed small homes. Not enough for the kids who have their own rooms.

Neither my wife or the other woman she loves want to give their job up. I worry a full on affair will start. How can it not start ? Working together? Maybe, there are men and women who had an affair at work and are no longer together. But it does add a lot of extra uncertainty.

I'll see my councilor today but not sure what he can tell me what i already don't know. It's a long difficult road ahead if i try and save the marriage. or i can let her go and start my healing.

OP posts:
ForgottenWhyImHere · 30/06/2021 11:07

@saddad2021

In my experience, once the gay partner has acknowledged their true sexuality, there is no going back.

It is always going to be a shock for children to hear that their parents are divorcing, but they do adjust given time.

I still recommend that you get in touch with the Straight Spouse Network. Some of the members will be people who have found a way to stay married. A lot of people start off wanting to make their mixed orientation relationship work. The vast majority do end up separating, but not all. You will find lots of support through the SSN and there's probably someone nearby who can meet you for a coffee and chat.

My ex wanted to make things work for about 3-4 months and then just didn't. There is a general pattern to how this situation pans out. It's not the same for every couple, but there are general tendencies. Make sure you have a good support system around you and explore all your options.

It is often described as "the gay bomb" because it is like an explosion in your life. It is terrifying to contemplate all the change, but things have a way of working out in the end.

saddad2021 · 30/06/2021 17:10

[quote ForgottenWhyImHere]@saddad2021

In my experience, once the gay partner has acknowledged their true sexuality, there is no going back.

It is always going to be a shock for children to hear that their parents are divorcing, but they do adjust given time.

I still recommend that you get in touch with the Straight Spouse Network. Some of the members will be people who have found a way to stay married. A lot of people start off wanting to make their mixed orientation relationship work. The vast majority do end up separating, but not all. You will find lots of support through the SSN and there's probably someone nearby who can meet you for a coffee and chat.

My ex wanted to make things work for about 3-4 months and then just didn't. There is a general pattern to how this situation pans out. It's not the same for every couple, but there are general tendencies. Make sure you have a good support system around you and explore all your options.

It is often described as "the gay bomb" because it is like an explosion in your life. It is terrifying to contemplate all the change, but things have a way of working out in the end.[/quote]
thanks, i'm taking a look now as SSN. i'm under no delusion. I just don't get how we can go from happy, to this. It really was a rock solid marriage, so willing to put some effort in to save the marriage. But not into any sharing and will not put up with any infidelity. What i don't know is can she be bi-sexual and have either or ? or does it now have to be a woman and woman only? she does find men cute. She'd often comment in the past on how good looking that guy was.. I as a straight person have never ever thought oooh this guy looks cute. Never once in my life !

OP posts:
bitheby · 03/07/2021 10:35

Bisexuality is a totally valid orientation and exists. I'm attracted mostly to women but I've just been in a 4 year relationship with a man. It's completely possible to fall in love with someone irrespective of their sex.

AcrossthePond55 · 03/07/2021 16:33

...can she be bi-sexual and have either or ? or does it now have to be a woman and woman only? She'd often comment in the past on how good looking that guy was.. I as a straight person have never ever thought oooh this guy looks cute. Never once in my life!

Just because your wife can appreciate beauty in a man, that doesn't make her bi-sexual.

Appreciating beauty in a person of any sex doesn't mean you are sexually attracted to them. Your attitude that it does is archaic. As a straight woman I've looked at a woman and thought "Oh isn't she gorgeous!" and my straight DH has said "That's sure a good looking guy!" about a man. But that certainly doesn't mean we want to go to bed with them.

It really was a rock solid marriage, so willing to put some effort in to save the marriage.

It may have felt that your marriage was rock solid to you, but it obviously wasn't to her or she wouldn't have cheated. I'm not saying you did anything wrong, but if her sexual orientation truly is lesbian, then to her the marriage never had a 'rock solid' foundation. It was built on the shifting sands of her denial of 'who is really is'. And even if you do manage to heal the marriage, it will still be on shifting sands.

Mikeminuslizplussam · 07/08/2025 18:44

If you're still following your post from a few years avoid like to have an update. How are you doing now? I'm currently going through the same thing.

ForgottenWhyImHere · 08/08/2025 08:04

@Mikeminuslizplussam

You might find support here from other people who have been through similar.

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