Standing on the Edge

[native]

Kenn,

I wish I could have been as good a husband to my wife as I feel I am trying to be a father to my daughter. I had such an incredibly hard time understanding what she was unhappy about. I know she has clinical depression, but there were so many things in her life that seemed to have gone wrong. I sometimes feel she is addicted to drama and destined for tragedy.

I knew she was down when we met, but we did so much enjoy spending time together, though it was clear she was feeling down. I felt compassion for her I guess, but spent so much time with her, had enough good times that my feelings developed into love.

She was 'date raped' twice by two different guys during the two years we were friends, however. And she was 'recovering' from a painfully ended relationship. Her previous boyfriend of 4 years was unfaithful to her and when she walked in on them, he laughed at her shock and pain.

We talked about that relationship a few months ago and it was very clear to me that her interactions with him immediately preceeding the unfaithfullness gave him the justification for this betrayal. I don't know if she fully comprehended how her behavior contributed to the breakdown of that relationship though.