I got the first glimse of my W's new life/apartment and it left little doubt that she is settled in for the long haul. Her apartment was fully dialed in with new furniture, art work as well as two new flat screen TV's and other assorted creature comforts. I didn't expect anything different really so it wasn't a surprise. Nonetheless it didn't give me a warming feeling.
Her mother was there and of course the kids and that was the extent of the guest list. The kids were happy to see me and that naturally made me feel more comfortable. There was a degree of awkwardness but it wasn't overwhelming and the afternoon proceed comfortably. We had lunch and we played with the kids in the common yard area that her apartment opens up to. The kids were clearly excited to have mommy and daddy together with them for really the first time since Jan.
That was tough on me as it is unlikely they will have that opportunity again for a long time. I'm not sure if it had any kind of affect on my W, I'm guessing not. I had a lot of fun playing with them and I must admit I was hoping my W would take notice of how wonderful it all could be. But it is a waste of energy to think of such things.
I decided after about three (3) hours to say goodbye and my W insisted on walking me out. I knew she had something up her sleeve. Sure enough she announced to me that "I've been seeing someone since February"(No actually Jan. W). She wanted to tell me this because she see's introducing this guy to the children and she wanted to follow the protocol we had discussed in Mediation. In her diluted mind this latest relationship is a serious one.
Bottom line is I didn't give it much of a response as I felt it was neither the time nor the place to get into it. However, I will bring this issue up Wednesday at Mediation. Like you DW I absolutley will do whatever is necessary to protect my kids and my relationship with them. I think she is nuts if she thinks she can intro this guy to my children after such a short time together. Like you (I think it was you) I believe a year together is a minimum requirement to intro's. I also know that it is impossible to enforce and she will likely standby the divorce agreement the same way she stood by our marriage vows.
The news of her seeing someone since Jan. was no revelation but the idea of already discussing intro to the kids left me a little touched up. As I write this I am already over the funk.
The focus now shifts to Wednesday and the drama that will likely ensue.
M48/W47 M15/T22 S3 D3 In House Separation 10/06/09 W files for D 10/16/09 OM1 discovered 10/28/09 (PA) OM2 in mix early Jan. W moved out 1/26/10 In Mediation (Settlement in prep)
