Been in a relationship for 9 months now. Both of us around 50, 2 kids each, teens, similar ages. Met last summer, I was a few months out of long relationship and she had only been single a few weeks after a long distance relationship (she had dated him at uni too).
Things have been great - we had instant attraction, got on so well. We have the perfect balance of independence but being together, live a few miles apart, kids get on, been away a few times including kids and all good. We have opened each others eyes to new activities as well as having some in common. No arguments and we just click.
Trouble is she has been having some doubts of late after ex got back in touch. She feels she didn't fight for relationship (he finished things) and there is still some attraction which I get as he did leave wife for her 2nd time around and they dated at college.
She has been pretty open with me and we have been able to discuss and even joke about it but this is killing me inside. We had been away for a couple of weeks and yet met up the next day as we both missed each other. She keeps saying how nice I am, she feels bad as she knows (her words) I give her everything she needs, am supportive etc.
I have tried to take this lightly and not put pressure on her but I feel the only thing to do is to encourage her to meet him and see what happens, if its meant to be its meant to be. Maybe the spark or attraction is not that great, maybe it is.
We have both said that subject to all the detail (kids, finances) we would be happy to love together so its not that there is anything wrong between us, just that she seems to have feelings for two people?
Not really sure what I am asking for here, anyone been in similar situation, I feel like giving an ultimatum but that will not kill the problem?
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
Relationships
Relationship advice - GF & her ex
Dadjoke007 · 18/04/2024 08:55
Dadjoke007 · 18/04/2024 17:37
Update: She just popped in at my request. Pretty much ended now, we have said we won't message for a week to give her some space but I can't see it getting back on. There are just feelings there she can't supress. Who knows, maybe it will be different in a few weeks but I doubt it.
CM97 · 18/04/2024 17:52
So sorry this has happened to you. I am in my 50's and just got dumped after an 11 month whirlwind romance. I thought we had a future and we were so happy. It's the worst feeling - be kind to yourself.
Dadjoke007 · 18/04/2024 17:37
Update: She just popped in at my request. Pretty much ended now, we have said we won't message for a week to give her some space but I can't see it getting back on. There are just feelings there she can't supress. Who knows, maybe it will be different in a few weeks but I doubt it.
Sandcastles5 · 18/04/2024 22:17
Hello. Its a horrible feeling. Here is this person who you are trying to look forward with and build up presumably whats left of a lifetime together and you have this person with years of history you cant compete with tugging on your wifes emotions.
I understand this because my now boyfriend who i am very close to splitting up with had emotional baggage with his ex and it made the first 2 years of our relationship feel really hard. I felt like she was the one who had done all the holidays, trips, house sharing, dog owning with. I rememeber now looking back how awful i felt and i should have really left it there and said no thanks.
It was weird with them. Hed had a massive drink problem and she drank alot too but was functioning fine. Where as he was alwsys in a state of depression and low. He would get attention outside of their relationship along with finanically lean on her alot. He was wreckless and she ended it when yet another woman had taken his attention. He moved out and she continued from decemver 2019 until some time in 2022 to message him. Even when she knew about me. We broke up for 8 months in 2022 because i went through his phone and discovered these caring emotional messages and i realised all my fears were valid. He was not over her. He came back to me in january 2023 and one of the first things he told me was "nothing went on with my ex and shes seeing somone else now i never hear from her"
Hes mentioned her a couple of times today. Almost called me her name earlier. So i believe shes back on his mind.
I dont think its right or fair that your partner is expressing regret at not fighting for him or telling you theres feelings. Because shes potientially going to be messaging him behind your back and things could get messy.
Youll always have this feeling in the pit of your stomach.
Ive walked around for 4 years now knowing that she was the love of his life and he likely wont ever love me like he did her. Its a secret only he knows the answer too. But i think im what hes had to settle for and she will always stay in his heart. I may not even be loved. Its only words.
Be careful x
Dadjoke007 · 18/04/2024 15:12
Thanks all. We do share the same morals, views on life and sync really well, feels very natural, we are happy being who we are. Yes, we did leap in a bit fast but that because it felt right. Her words were that "she is worried she doesn't feel the spark as much as I do and is worried she will push away when honeymoon period is over and becomes mundane" (but I think any honeymoon period is over anyway and it is life as normal now with lower highs than you get at the start). She said "that's the only thing stopping me committing to you , my (her words) head says stop looking for problems and does it matter when everything else is so good"
We are both slightly different to our "ideal types", not in lots of ways but I am a big sports fan and she has not had many relationships with sports fans, I am a spender, her a saver. I shop lots, she doesn't. Looks wise I am a bit shorter than her type, she is taller than mine. I normally favour women that are a bit more into nails & fashion (not OTT though) but in this relationship I have realised that's not an issue as I love her for who she is, not that her nails are painted/not painted. So there are so many factors that are in our favour, friends, family & kids have not been an issue, finances and all other stuff are all good.
Part of me thinks that maybe for her the spark has worn off a bit and because we get on so well she is not wanting to hurt me or is even having second thoughts as we are starting to get more serious and its a natural doubt. Part of me thinks it may be she wasn't fully over ex and there was not the closure someone like I had with mine. Maybe as they have been together for 9-10 years on and off there is that bond, maybe being together at 20 and being maybe the first true love/relationship will skew how you look at things.
But, I don't think I can cope with being a 'second choice' - surely even if Tom Cruise comes along you don't seriously reconsider relationship - maybe that points to something being broken.
The problem I have with this is because everything else seems so good. In every relationship I have had there has always been much stronger reasons to break up in that we argue lots, clash, have very different views on things. Am thinking that what has been said is right and I think I will 'force the issue' later. I don't want to push her but do think a quick decision is in order.
category12 · 20/04/2024 11:21
Also, consider this - when faced with a man who wants a relationship and the woman doesn't (or no longer wants to), sometimes it's easier and safer for women to let a guy think another man is in the way or otherwise try to let him down gently.
The most important bit of what she has said is that it's over.
I'm sure you're a nice safe guy personally, but it may not be that she's unsure at all, just that her experience of men generally has led her to prefer trying to extract herself from relationships in a convoluted way.
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
Yalta · 20/04/2024 12:26
You need to really listen to the words she is using.
I would take this as her letting you down
Dump her and she will probably choose you because you have become her unattainable
I would still dump her
You both sound a lot younger than 50 and don’t sound compatible
Dadjoke007 · 18/04/2024 15:12
Thanks all. We do share the same morals, views on life and sync really well, feels very natural, we are happy being who we are. Yes, we did leap in a bit fast but that because it felt right. Her words were that "she is worried she doesn't feel the spark as much as I do and is worried she will push away when honeymoon period is over and becomes mundane" (but I think any honeymoon period is over anyway and it is life as normal now with lower highs than you get at the start). She said "that's the only thing stopping me committing to you , my (her words) head says stop looking for problems and does it matter when everything else is so good"
We are both slightly different to our "ideal types", not in lots of ways but I am a big sports fan and she has not had many relationships with sports fans, I am a spender, her a saver. I shop lots, she doesn't. Looks wise I am a bit shorter than her type, she is taller than mine. I normally favour women that are a bit more into nails & fashion (not OTT though) but in this relationship I have realised that's not an issue as I love her for who she is, not that her nails are painted/not painted. So there are so many factors that are in our favour, friends, family & kids have not been an issue, finances and all other stuff are all good.
Part of me thinks that maybe for her the spark has worn off a bit and because we get on so well she is not wanting to hurt me or is even having second thoughts as we are starting to get more serious and its a natural doubt. Part of me thinks it may be she wasn't fully over ex and there was not the closure someone like I had with mine. Maybe as they have been together for 9-10 years on and off there is that bond, maybe being together at 20 and being maybe the first true love/relationship will skew how you look at things.
But, I don't think I can cope with being a 'second choice' - surely even if Tom Cruise comes along you don't seriously reconsider relationship - maybe that points to something being broken.
The problem I have with this is because everything else seems so good. In every relationship I have had there has always been much stronger reasons to break up in that we argue lots, clash, have very different views on things. Am thinking that what has been said is right and I think I will 'force the issue' later. I don't want to push her but do think a quick decision is in order.
Sandcastles5 · 20/04/2024 12:35
You aren't desperate. You are genuine. Id ask her to ring you later and make a decision today because you dont want another 4 days of this.
It doesnt take days to decide. She already knows what she wants and needs to accept she needs to be all in or nothing.
Dont wait another day. You arent her side salad or second choice. If she wants her ex or wants her exs time and attention again then you dont stand a chance.
You dont need it.
Dadjoke007 · 20/04/2024 13:24
I don't think thats the case. But we went on a big holiday at start of April so maybe it was a case of carry on as normal so not to mess that up. If it is a letting down gently then I think I need it to be more final - would rather she said something like she cant stand being with me!
There are pointers that she has been thinking about him for a month or two now. But I have been in relationships that end and there are always obvious signs they dont find you attractive in terms of sex, less time together, not touchy and tactile, being one way in who wants to meet etc and none of that applied.
category12 · 20/04/2024 11:21
Also, consider this - when faced with a man who wants a relationship and the woman doesn't (or no longer wants to), sometimes it's easier and safer for women to let a guy think another man is in the way or otherwise try to let him down gently.
The most important bit of what she has said is that it's over.
I'm sure you're a nice safe guy personally, but it may not be that she's unsure at all, just that her experience of men generally has led her to prefer trying to extract herself from relationships in a convoluted way.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.