I met a man last year and we fell in love and decided to move in make a go of it. He lived about six hours away but was keen to sell and start a new life with me. We spoke of marriage, mortgages and cars and growing old (er) together. It is the first time I have truly fallen in love. It all happened very quickly……too quickly I know see.
Shortly after he sold his property I found out he had lied about his age by 6 years. He said it was due to his fragile ego so after discussions and promises I decided to go forward with it. In hindsight I should have told him to stop the sale. A few weeks ago I started digging around his past (he still had some old flings/girlfriends on his social media). I don’t like digging but it was prompted by a conversation about who I followed and yes, I appreciate this all sounds quite immature. Anyhow, he has assured me I am the love of his life etc but before me there was a decade of relationships (no more than 1 yr to 18 months) with women around 20 years younger than him. I think both that and the age thing have activated my insecurities and I feel myself shutting down. I have tried to discuss this with him but he says they were just ultimately disappointing relationships and it was always meant to be me. I am not so much interested in the women but that it is not a pattern he will return to. I am still 8 yrs younger than him but it just feels different now.
My past also has things I am less than happy to discuss but I would always do it if I felt it would help my partner understand me any hike I got to be where I am at this point in time. I know men can feel exposed etc but he was an open book in the first few months.
Another thing was he said how much he wanted to marry me and to pick a ring but I didn’t feel comfortable sending him links. It felt less than romantic. When it came up again he said let’s pick a date and then it never happens. I think if someone wants something to happen they make it happen. I am just backing away as each day passes.
The issue is I should have taken my time but I got swept up in the romance and he is a good man so I took a chance. I sometimes feel I will sabotage the relationship to stop the anxiety I now have in it. Not sure what there is to say but I feel better having tapped this out.