We started with marital counseling which ended due to loss of my job and benefits. Last session 3 months ago.
I honestly thought things were slowly improving. Then her father visited us this weekend from out of state. He and I had some drinks and got to talking. And he pretty much told me (as a friend, he kept insisting) to pull my head out of my ass and prepare for divorce.
I come to my wife with this the next day, she confirms that she is still very much wanting to divorce me but has not told me about it due to the job layoff and was hoping for a better time (is there a better time to hear something like that??)
Anyhow, my mind was rolling with some suspicion about OM for many months now. I asked once, she denied. I dropped it and did my best to not let dark thoughts creep into my mind.
After speaking with her father, I felt he knew something I didnt and dark thoughts came back.
So I slipped and did something ugly that I never did before (never even thought about it really)
I cracked her email and saw my suspicions confirmed. Online EA with the guy she was dating before she met me. 6+ months and very active. But reading through stuff it was clear she was the one driving the rekindling while he merely receptive (and a bit concerned about the fact she is married) He actually said that maybe she should take some time to let life unfold and then 'see what happens'
In my shock and horror, with the realization its not the OM who is driving the EA....I decided to write to this guy.
This is what I said:
Hello,
My name is (EnergyAZ). I am married to (wife) and father of her son.
I love my family dearly, and I am totally committed to my marriage.
I know the two of you have been talking quite a bit lately (actually, mostly her). It is not my intention to get all confrontational with macho BS. I am not that type of person. However, I do want to tell you that I have invested my entire life into Valerie and that I love her very deeply.
Now this may conflict with how she has spoken to you over the last 6 months. But you arent the only guy she has been talking about babies with over that time. As much as she may say otherwise to you and others, she has still given me plenty of reason to not quit until the final whistle blows.
I may be fighting an uphill battle. But as long as she is my wife, I will ask you to respectfully step off.
The time very well may come where she is free to see whoever she wants. But until that time, I am doing my best to save the family I love so much.
If you have any decency, honor, or integrity - you will respect this request.
I come not with a sword, but a rose. Man to man - I have true love for this woman and we have a child together. I am fighting for my life & my son's life as we know it. If you have a sense of honor, you can see the nobility of my desire. It may all be for naught in the end. But damned if I dont try.
I am a good man, and I suspect you might be as well and if circumstances were different, I wouldnt be surprised if we got along famously. So lets be civil and honorable. If you want to wait like a vulture for a stab at a hot carcass, thats your perogative. When I confronted (wife) about this - she totally played you down as insignifigent - a flight of fancy to occupy the mind of an unhappy girl. Whatever. Until there is closure between myself and (wife), I ask you to step off.
I realize you are not the one driving this attempt to rekindle old flames, merely receptive to the idea. Just wanted to tell you that there is clearly some unfinished business here and I am petitioning to your higher man to roll good karma dice in respect of my son and my family.
Peace to you and all you know,
(EnergyAZ)
It was only after I sent this email when I wondered 'what would DBers have done?'
So here I am trying to get a damage assessment.
How bad did I just screw up?
Me: 37 Wife: 40 Son: 7yo Son: 18 mo Bomb: 12/31/07 Status: Reconciled 1/2009 but backsliding terribly right now