First, I don't think this has anything to do with what you deserve. You don't deserve this.

And this is obviously a very personal decision.

In my opinion, marriage and kids changes the commitment level, and that means working through some of the things that would end a dating relationship. And I believe that sometimes "working through" looks an awful lot like waiting for your spouse to be willing to work on it with you.

Your H sounds like some of the MLC stories, which often involve a lot of time in limbo.

If you can be patient, he might come out of the fog.

That doesn't mean you have to be a doormat. Can you share some examples of ways in which you feel like a doormat? We might be able to offer suggestions on how to handle those pieces to make the waiting not so awful for you.


Me: 44
H: 44
Kids: 20, 16, 16, and 10
Together/Married: 22 years
H announced he was emotionally detached and considering D: 4/4/16
H announced he is going to try to stay and reconnect: 5/1/16