hope&pray Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Well here goes, maybe this will help me somehow. Almost a month ago my wife of 6 years told me she loves me, cares about me but isn't in love with me anymore. She said she needed time alone and space. I was able to get her to stay but, living in the same house and seeing her all the time, I couldn't give her the space and time she wanted. She has been in contact with a realtor friend about finding a new house, I just found this out last night. She kept it from me because she thought it would make me mad but it didn't. She wants it to work out and so do I, so that is a plus. I just hope and for the first time in YEARS pray it will. I'm not religious at all. Like all the other posts I've read, this is killing me, I have had almost every emotion hit me and I've cried more in the last week then my entire life, I believe. I know it is because the type of man I've become in the last year, a little sellfish, blind and just stupid. I didn't care to much about her big wishes and plans unless they matched mine. A couple years ago, her wishes and thoughts would of been mine also. I sure things work out. I'm very lucky though, she is only going to move up the road and I get to stay in the house we have. We both make good money except she makes more then I do and she says this will be the best way. I know she isn't cheating and she says she has no plans of finding anybody. Oh yeah, we have a 5 year old son. I'm tired of crying and having all these emotions wreak havoc on my body. I hope this works out. Link to post Share on other sites
littlemissomg Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Originally posted by hope&pray I'm tired of crying and having all these emotions wreak havoc on my body. I hope this works out. Well I'm sorry, but the crying and the emotions are going to be there some time, and they'll probably get worse before they get better. BUT THEY WILL GET BETTER. Don't fight them, you have to cope with this in your own way. Firstly, I'm real sorry you're going through this. It seems you have to find out whether your wife is after a temporary break or a permanent split. She has asked for time and space, if you care enough to wait for her decision then give her that. Pull on the people around you to support you, take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way (i.e. nights out instead of staying home miserable). Check out this really good website, <URL removed> (I think that's the website - if not, search Google for it), perhaps give your wife the link as well so she can receive some support. Good Luck PS - Sorry if I'm breaking any TOS by posting a link Link to post Share on other sites
Miakal Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 I am responding to you because I seem to be in a similar situation. However, my husband did not seek space in a responsible or honorable way. He left while I was in the shower and didn't return. He called me 6 days later to let me know what was going on. That was 6 days of pure hell. Also, we have a 3 month old daughter. In any case, it's okay for you to have all of these emotions. Allow yourself to grieve. Just don't allow your grief to harm you. You need your strength to get through this. Personally, I just wanted to stay in my house and cry...like a fool. I forced myself to get out and do some activities in the last few days and I truly feel so much better. I also am not religious but feel that I am quite spiritual. I have started meditating...something I used to do prior to my marriage. It feels so good to be doing this again. I am doing this for myself...to bring positive energy into my life. Some may think it's kooky but it is helping me feel better. Give your wife some time. From what you have written, she seems to have lost herself. Speaking from a woman's point of view...it can be so difficult when you feel that you have become just a wife and mother. It's like your identity as a person has dissolved into just these two titles. It sounds like she needs to connect with herself again. As painful as it is for you, give her that time. Go on with your life, continuing to love her and continuing to show her compassion. Then she will make the right decision. Keep smiling. Link to post Share on other sites
Author hope&pray Posted May 8, 2004 Author Share Posted May 8, 2004 Miakal Thanks for the support and information. I hope she is just lost and once she "finds" herself she will find the love she once felt for me. She fell for me real quick. We met almost 6 years ago to the day (May 8th I believe), and married 2.5 months later. I never thought it was mistake to rush into it and I never will. Its hard to have her next to me and not be afraid to hold her hand, or when we are in bed to pull her next to me. I miss just touching her. I have neglected her wishes, desires and probably feelings for at least the last year. Like everybody else, I think of the, what ifs, should of done, could of done stuff but of course that doesn't help any. I actually had to leave work the other day because the emotioins were to strong for me to concentrate. So what about your husband and you? Are you two talking or trying to work it out? Thanks for you help. Link to post Share on other sites
Miakal Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 It sounds like you are reflecting...seeing more clearly what happened in your relationship. Pain causes change. Great huh? Hopefully things will change for the better in your situation. Giving her the space she needs right now is a very selfless act on your part. Because you didn't want her to go, you could have simply said, "sorry lady, you stay here or were done!" Okay, so she probably would have really left in a hurry then. But what I'm trying to say here is that you are doing the right thing...whether or not your marriage survives it. I would encourage you to keep the lines of communication open with her, let her know that you love her and keep your friendship strong. Hmmm. You asked about my situation. Well, I sit here and spew advice but I have no answers for my own life at this point. My husband is 2,800 miles away from me right now. He has not told me what he wants. I'm guessing that's because he is completely unsure. So, at his request, I am letting him have all of the space in the world. I love him dearly and I do want him to come home. However, I am a strong woman and I will maintain my self-respect. I have my limits. Please tell me if you can....what are the real reasons why a man says he "needs space." ???? Link to post Share on other sites
Samson Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 However, I am a strong woman and I will maintain my self-respect. I have my limits. Please tell me if you can....what are the real reasons why a man says he "needs space." ???? If there was ever a thread that demonstrated that women can be as strong or stronger than men it seems it is here. Why not start another thread: Spacemen? OK, I'll do it! Link to post Share on other sites
Jenny317 Posted May 9, 2004 Share Posted May 9, 2004 Look, If you has idea's than listen to them, or at least try! Try to be her superman! Save her from the mistake she is about to make! Make she she changes her mine, try to change! And plan out romantic evenings! That will be YOURS AND HERS best evenings! Link to post Share on other sites
Author hope&pray Posted May 9, 2004 Author Share Posted May 9, 2004 Thanks Jenny, I've talked her into staying and trying to work it out twice. I'm just not able to give her space. And she wants nothing to do with romantic evenings right now. I have a big, bad problem with holding on to things, that I desire, very tightly and its causing more pain then it happiness. I don't want to let her go but it hurts so bad when she is here because I can't hold her. All she thinks about is the man I've been this last year and not the man I was. I've never cheated on her or wanted to. She just isn't in love with me anymore. I want to be able to just spend time with her, just me and her but she doesn't want to. I can't even hold her hand without her getting mad. Maybe somehow I can give her space and find a place of her own will be to hard and take to long and somehow we can make it work out while being together. Link to post Share on other sites
dfaith Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 START ALL OVER AGAIN. START TO DATE AND DO ALL THE THINGS THAT MADE HER MARRY YOU. Link to post Share on other sites
Author hope&pray Posted May 12, 2004 Author Share Posted May 12, 2004 dfaith, I would if she would let me be with her more then at our current house. We do kind of have 2 dates already planned. We are going to a baseball game later this month and then a concert next month. I believe that things happen for a reason, I just hope there is a good reason for this and that she comes back to me. She is moving out on the 8th of June. Just to an apartment and not a condo or anything. This way at least she doesn't have to wait to long to get out and maybe we can start the "healing" process. I hope it isn't to late, but I am finding all the things that I took for granted were actually the things that made me love her. Link to post Share on other sites
oscaroc Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 I agree with the people saying to give her the time she needs to reestablish herself and find the answers that she needs. But don't, For one minute, Take the entire blame for the problems both of you are having. I am sure that she shares some of the blame. I have found that keeping the contact between each other at a minimum works the best. i only talk to her if it directly affects my child. Good luck Link to post Share on other sites
Author hope&pray Posted May 17, 2004 Author Share Posted May 17, 2004 I can't help but blame myself for not being able to keep her happy or willing to do the things she wanted. I think back now and all I can think is that she always did what I wanted. I hope it isn't to late. She did sign a year lease for an apt. Being with her is tough but being without her is worse. I went away for the weekend and it was awfull!!!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
oscaroc Posted May 17, 2004 Share Posted May 17, 2004 I understand what you are going through, my wife had told me the same thing and also has a lease on an apt. And like you i feel we always did what I wanted but on the other hand she had always left it up to me, she is a dependant person. I don't know your entire story but i know that there probably is something bigger going on with her than that. I feel my wife is trying to find herself or figure out what she want in life i am not sure right now. As much as I hate saying this, because I don't beleive in it, give her the space she needs. I know how hard it is its still hard for me. In the meantime spend some time figuring out what you want. I have been trying to figure out some things as well, i have a few infedelity problems with my wife, and i am trying to figure out what i didn't provide that she had to look somewhere else for it. The thing that is the hardest for me is to keep contact at a minimum but i think it plays an important role for both of us on the road to recovery. I do beleive her and I will resolve our problems or find a middle ground and be together again but i still have to prepare myself for the oppsite if that occurs. Link to post Share on other sites
Author hope&pray Posted May 17, 2004 Author Share Posted May 17, 2004 Oscar, how long has your wife been gone? I guess I'm lucky and know some of the reasons that caused me to loose my wifes happiness and in the end make her fall out of love with me. They are things I can change. I have learned that I shouldn't tell her things will change and things will be different and keep telling her i love her and asking her to stay. It just makes her want to go so more. She knows how I feel and what I want. Hopefully I can keep up a good front and also find things that interest me outside of the house. Other then yard work though, I was always happy with just being with my wife and son. Only going out on occasion. That is one of the biggest reasons why I might loose her forever. She is so very active and never wants to sit still. I kept telling her and myself that we didn't have the money to things because I wanted us to have the money when we were older. She said to me a couple times that we need to have fun now. But I obviously didn't listen. Hind site is always 20/20 and like the song says "you don't know what you got till its gone". Hopefully for me and others out there we can change it to you don't know what you got till its ALMOST gone. I hope my wife just wants some space and time and that her love for me is barried and she will find it. She has almost always been with somebody, from what I can remember her telling me and hearin, so maybe now that she is 31 and very secure with a job she wants and needs to be alone for awhile. I went away this weekend and I told her I missed her. She sounded sincere when she said that she missed me too. I hope when she leaves she will really start to miss me and it won't take long. But I am trying to prepare myself for the long haul.. Link to post Share on other sites
oscaroc Posted May 17, 2004 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Hope, My wife and I have been going throuigh hard times for about a year and a half and she has been in her apt. for a month now. Beleive me it gets a little better as time goes on but it still hurts especially when we see each other. As time goes on you will realize like I did that you can use the time to figure things out as well. I have a lot of decisions I have to make before I can truly feel good about spending the rest of my life with her. I don't beleive in seperation on one hand but on the other what choice do I have. I just hope that time apart won't drive us further apart. And one of us doesn't do something stupid. May i suggest something? Maybe go see a doctor and get on some meds. It really helps me keep a clear mind and go to work everyday. I am not to proud to admit that i needed some assistance. Link to post Share on other sites
Author hope&pray Posted May 18, 2004 Author Share Posted May 18, 2004 Today was actually a pretty good day at work. But when I got homeb any happiness I had was replaced with anger. I am mad that she waited so long to tell me. She could of told me awhile ago that her feelings for me were faultering or not as strong. Maybe we could of done something about it then. Her excuse for not telling me is that she didn't know how and how would I of felt if she just told me. I don't know how I would of felt but I know I would of felt better then I do now and maybe we would be closer to being together again. The only time she is happy is when she is talking about her apt. I listen and try not to let it bother me. I just have to tell myself that when she leaves and is on her own, hopefully that'll just be a day closer to us getting back to gether. I know we may never but I have to hope. I am trying to think that we may not get back together. I try to think of ways to get out, not just if we never make it but as soon as she leaves. Maybe a little reverse psychology will help. If she sees me happy she may start to think she could loose me and not that I could loose her. I lover her and want her back.............. Link to post Share on other sites
oscaroc Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 Man oh man, that sounds exactly like what I am going through! And you probably have everyone telling you the things you should do and all of them are different. That is what i am going through right now I am deciding what action i should take next, should i file for D, Should I wait it out, Do i date and make her jealous and get back at her. I don't know thats a hard one I don't want to burn bridges but deep inside i want to make her as miserable as i am. My wife gets mad at me because i am going out and doing things with my sister and her husband. She gets mad because she wants me sitting home stewing about her and I. I do know that other people can't know the entire situation so be careful of advice you get, some I have received has buried me deeper in the hole and it takes more time to get back what you had if your not careful. One phrase that helps me out alot is: Give her the space she needs know and if she comes back she is yours forever, if she doesn't come back it was never meant to be. To me that is the harsh reality i have to face. I have just as much control over the situation as she does. If she does come back to me. I get the decision of taking her back and that is ultimatly what it will come to i know. Good luck man Link to post Share on other sites
Author hope&pray Posted May 19, 2004 Author Share Posted May 19, 2004 Here is my question. Anybody who is seperating/seperated, before she/he left did the person who left still undress in front of you and act like it was nothing? My wife does and I don't know if it is a good sign or not. I of course still like seeing her body. Like I said yesterday, had a good day at work but when I got home I was angry all night. I was angry because she waited so long to tell me how she was feeling. I guess I am lucky she just didn't wake up one morning and say she was leaving. But why did she wait so long to say anything. Here is something that happened last night and then this morning. My son said to me that his Mommy doesn't like me anymore and that is why she is leaving. Now he is only 5 so I didn't jump on it and go to her. He kept on saying it and she heard him. She then said that she didn't say that and that my son was who said it. I believe her. He then said it again this morning. I asked if that is what she really said or did she say that she loves and cares about me but isn't "in love with me" and he said yeah but she said she is still a little in love with me. I hope so. Again he is only 5 and it is easy for kids to mix up words. Link to post Share on other sites
oscaroc Posted May 19, 2004 Share Posted May 19, 2004 My wife and I went out the night before we split and had a great time. We had intercourse the next morning and by 3:00 p.m. i was moved out. I think alot of it has to do with habits. I have to remember that she has been thinking about stuff for a great deal of time. So she has been living and acting normal around me but inside she was torn apart. I never new what was going on and was floored by her telling me she wasn't in love with me anymore and there was no man that could make her happy. Maybe she is a lesbian??? So i wouldn't think to much about her undressing in front of you but maybe it is a sign that she isn't quite sure i am just speculating. Link to post Share on other sites
Author hope&pray Posted May 22, 2004 Author Share Posted May 22, 2004 Well, she moves out on the 8th of June. I love being with her and it is also the hardest time of the day. I know she does some things and says somethings to pacify me for now. Like kissing me goodbye in the morning, at night and the occasional I love you. I have to except that we won't be together. Hopefully, maybe in 6 months, a year, two or whatever it takes. I feel like I could wait an eternity for her. I know that isn't possible. She may eventually move on to somebody else and I will find a way to care for somebody. But I believe that the first person you are trully in love with is the one person you will always have the strongest feelings for. No matter how many people you are with afterwards and love, there is only that one and my wife is it for me. May sound stupid but I'm sure there are some people out there who would agree. [font=arial][/font][font=times new roman][/font][font=courier new][/font][font=century gothic][/font] Link to post Share on other sites
Josieburn Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 hope&pray, You replied to my post and so I read yours. man, it's weird how similar our situations are. My wife acts exactly the same. In fact, she was wanting sex - just sex, she says, nothing else - until a week ago when I told her I couldn't do it anymore if she acted like she didn't care about me. Now she's just cold and looking for a place to live behind my back. Right now I'm here with the kids while she's out with God knows who doing God knows what. And, like you've said, I have to sit here in agony. I've tried it all and have had the same angry feelings. Now, my wife has said that I didn't meet her needs but could never explain to me what she needed. All she would ever say is that "if you don't already know, then you never will" whenever it came up. Well, I won't go into details, but I feel your pain. And just like you, I wonder what ever could have happened? In all essence, I think my wife had these bad feelings about our marriage but I don't think she would be leaving if there wasn't someone else who has come into the picture making her think that the grass is greener. I guess my advice is that I agree with you and try to give her her space, keep praying, keep trusting in God that it's his will whether it works out or not, and try my best not to think about it. I may try the "don't give a sh•t" attitude next because I may really start to feel that way. Hang in there! Link to post Share on other sites
Author hope&pray Posted May 22, 2004 Author Share Posted May 22, 2004 I've only just recently started to pray and think of God. Some things happened that made me question faith to much to do it. Of course I've never been much of a religious person in the first place. I think sex was part of my many problems. I realized I am a taker and she is a giver. All I did was take take take from her and very seldom gave. She would give me an inch on something and I'd get mad because she wouldn't give the whole foot. I don't think there is anything wrong with being a giver, so long as the taker is also giving enough in return and I sure wasn't. There isn't another man in her life now or ever while we were together. I marriage became such a routine that there was no way she had anytime. Also she said there isn't, she has never lied to me and I just believe her. The only real anger I have left is that she didn't say something sooner. But I'll have to live with that. Hopefully someday I can get it together and be the man AND husband she deserves. I've been so lucky to have her these 6 years. Link to post Share on other sites
winterwonderland Posted May 23, 2004 Share Posted May 23, 2004 Hope&Pray wrote: Hopefully someday I can get it together and be the man AND husband she deserves. I've been so lucky to have her these 6 years. My honest opinion. Let her go and find what she really needs in life and what you want out of life because all you are doing is wasting her time and yours, and I bet there will be a man out there who knows exactly what he wants and she wont have to wait for him TO GET IT TOGETHER!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Author hope&pray Posted May 24, 2004 Author Share Posted May 24, 2004 I have till the 8th of june to be happy and positive, that is the day she leaves. Then have small interactions in person and on the phone on occasion. Luckily we have a kid together so there will be chances. Hopefully that ebook Stop Your Divorce works!!!!!!!!!! Like most other people who don't want to loose their spouse, I can't see marrying anybody elese or being with anybody else. Tomorrow will be a BIG test. Will be alone with her for most of the afternoon and evening. Just have to keep telling myself to be positive and happy and maybe it'll work out in the end. Link to post Share on other sites
Knuttboy Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Man, alot of post sound like the children are becoming 2nd in the family plan! "Child says this", "thank goodness we have kids", no wonder wives leave. Men, you guys are thinking like spoiled children who had their toys taken away! If your thinking like this, your spouses and children deserve something better than what your offering. I'm not gonna say words of praise and hope for items that jumped out at me in your post, just commenting on a outlook that YOU have of the children in your lives. If I can see that, your wives see this and so do the children. I hope that you can keep giving your children all the love you can, put them FIRST in the situation and hope that you and your wives find happiness in the future whether its with each other or without...... Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts