I've been with my husband for over 23 years and married for almost 15.
We have 7 children together, the youngest of which is 7.
My husband has cheated on me several times throughout our marriage but I forgave him and we carried on. That is until recently.
My feelings of love for him have always come and gone, I assume this is normal is long term relationships as it can't be carnal lust 24/7!
However, my feelings have been gone for the last couple of years. We haven't had sex for 18 months and don't sleep in the same bed anymore. It is over.
I realised this a couple of months ago and I have met somebody else. I threw myself headlong into the new relationship but he has got cold feet. His reason being that he doesn't want to be responsible for my marriage ending but In my eyes is is already over.
This forced me to sit down with my husband on Saturday night and tell him that I want us to split up.
This isn't the first time I've talked to him about our marriage, in fact it's been many conversations we have had but nothing ever changes.
Since then though my husband has been acting as if we never had the conversation and the guy I've been seeing is not responding to my messages either!
My head is working overtime as I know that splitting up from my husband will be painful but necessary but I also have feelings for this other guy.
It all feels like such a mess. If I stay with my husband I have financial security as I haven't worked for the last 10 years and have no money of my own. I've been busy being a mother to my lovely children whom I'm forever grateful for.
But I feel like I also deserve some happiness and to feel loved.
I'm seeing the other guy later today as the ladt time we spoke he was very drunk. I dont think he thought that splitting up from my husband was on the cards but whatever happens I think it is the right decision for me and my own self esteem.