I think on this site EA refers to an emotional connection to someone else which has not yet been sexually consumated. It's still an affair.
A PA refers to out spouses having had s sexual relationship with someone outside the marriage. It's still an affair.
In most cases it starts as an EA and then moves on to PA. I think most PA's are also EA's.
I'm pretty sure one leads to the other.
For a long time I though my wife was in an EA -- sans sex. Then it turns out it was a PA. I was hurt by that knowledge. Increasing degrees of pain.
It all sucks.
I think crossing the line to sex is really pivotal.
--Theoden
Theo, You are correct that both aspects hurt, yet in different ways. As far as the EA aspect I was so hurt that he was "in love" with her and sharing his life with her. When it comes to the PA it is so hard to get "that picture" out of your head.
Just so painful all the way around....
Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are. -- Bernice Johnson Reagon
