Can a marriage survive??

TiffanyW1014

I would have to get even first, but I'm vindictive like that. :devil: Even so, I still wouldn't be able to forgive.

It really depends on how forgiving you are and if you think you can trust them again.

I thought about this but when the time came I couldn't do it because my family kept going through my mind and that means more to me than getting even.

hbrittingham

It can survive. But the key is forgiveness. You MUST forgive him and move on if that's what you want. Don't bring it up every time you argue, don't sit around thinking about it. Don't ask him to talk about it when you're drunk. Just move on. That's the only way you will get past it.

So funny. You nailed me to a "T". This is what I can see myself doing, it drives me nuts everyday and I feel like a nag always asking him where he is going or what he is doing but IMO I deserve to be answered and he needs to understand that.

I've heard just the opposite. You SHOULD be able to talk about it as much as you want to. Otherwise it will eat at you. Marriage counseling is a must, in my opinion. Some people/marriages make it through and beyond infidelity. It depends on the people involved.

In my marriage, infidelity is a deal breaker, no discussion about it. If he cheats, then he doesn't need me in his life anymore. Interestingly, he says if I were to cheat, it wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker to him. But he also knows that there is no way, no how I will ever cheat on him. We've been together for 23 years, so he knows that with all his heart.

WRXymama

Private message sent. However I did forget to add, we DID NOT seek a marriage counselor. My husband was the one who refused it.

TiffanyW1014

Wow. Thanks for that. This is just a really hard time right now!!! I will keep my head up but its not easy!

TiffanyW1014

Yes, a marriage can survive. Two years ago today, I discovered that my husband was having an affair. It was the most devastating thing I have ever been through in my life. I told him that he could stay in our house until Christmas (we have small children and I did not want to ruin their christmas), but then he had to get out. Between that day and Christmas, he did every thing he could to prove to me that he was sorry, and to try to mend things. He ended up staying. The last two years have been an emotional roller coaster, but I can honestly say that it is much stronger now than before.

I saw that there was a post that said if you feel like you can trust him stay. But at this point there is really no way that you can feel you can trust him. That takes a LOT of time to get back. I have really just gotten to the point where I am secure and do trust him. It is a LOT of hard work, I cannot stress that enough. But if you love him, and you basically had a decent marriage, it may be worth doing.

SOmething that helped me immensely was a website called surviving infidelity. www.survivinginfidelity.com. It is a great forum for spouses who have been betrayed. So many crazy things go on in your head when this happens to you, it is nice to read that others have the same feelings, it makes you feel a little less crazy. Hang in there, whatever you choose it will be a long journey. But you will make it out the other side. This has turned me into a lot stronger person, that is for sure. Hugs

Thanks so much for this site. I will def check it out!

WRXymama

It can survive. But the key is forgiveness. You MUST forgive him and move on if that's what you want. Don't bring it up every time you argue, don't sit around thinking about it. Don't ask him to talk about it when you're drunk. Just move on. That's the only way you will get past it.

So funny. You nailed me to a "T". This is what I can see myself doing, it drives me nuts everyday and I feel like a nag always asking him where he is going or what he is doing but IMO I deserve to be answered and he needs to understand that.

I've heard just the opposite. You SHOULD be able to talk about it as much as you want to. Otherwise it will eat at you. Marriage counseling is a must, in my opinion. Some people/marriages make it through and beyond infidelity. It depends on the people involved.

In my marriage, infidelity is a deal breaker, no discussion about it. If he cheats, then he doesn't need me in his life anymore. Interestingly, he says if I were to cheat, it wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker to him. But he also knows that there is no way, no how I will ever cheat on him. We've been together for 23 years, so he knows that with all his heart.

^^Just to add to your reply.....you never REALLY know how/what to do until it happens to you. jus sayin

RubyRed8067

If you you had not have caught him, would you ever have known about the affair? If the answer is "no", I'd take some time to consider whether or not I could trust him again.

hbrittingham

It can survive. But the key is forgiveness. You MUST forgive him and move on if that's what you want. Don't bring it up every time you argue, don't sit around thinking about it. Don't ask him to talk about it when you're drunk. Just move on. That's the only way you will get past it.

So funny. You nailed me to a "T". This is what I can see myself doing, it drives me nuts everyday and I feel like a nag always asking him where he is going or what he is doing but IMO I deserve to be answered and he needs to understand that.

I've heard just the opposite. You SHOULD be able to talk about it as much as you want to. Otherwise it will eat at you. Marriage counseling is a must, in my opinion. Some people/marriages make it through and beyond infidelity. It depends on the people involved.

In my marriage, infidelity is a deal breaker, no discussion about it. If he cheats, then he doesn't need me in his life anymore. Interestingly, he says if I were to cheat, it wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker to him. But he also knows that there is no way, no how I will ever cheat on him. We've been together for 23 years, so he knows that with all his heart.

^^Just to add to your reply.....you never REALLY know how/what to do until it happens to you. jus sayin

I think that can be true. But for me infidelity is a deal breaker. I know myself well enough that I would never be able to let it go and would be miserable and make his life miserable if he were to cheat on me. I am entirely too insecure to work past it and continue being married to someone who would betray my trust in that way.

deb3129

It can survive. But the key is forgiveness. You MUST forgive him and move on if that's what you want. Don't bring it up every time you argue, don't sit around thinking about it. Don't ask him to talk about it when you're drunk. Just move on. That's the only way you will get past it.

So funny. You nailed me to a "T". This is what I can see myself doing, it drives me nuts everyday and I feel like a nag always asking him where he is going or what he is doing but IMO I deserve to be answered and he needs to understand that.

I've heard just the opposite. You SHOULD be able to talk about it as much as you want to. Otherwise it will eat at you. Marriage counseling is a must, in my opinion. Some people/marriages make it through and beyond infidelity. It depends on the people involved.

In my marriage, infidelity is a deal breaker, no discussion about it. If he cheats, then he doesn't need me in his life anymore. Interestingly, he says if I were to cheat, it wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker to him. But he also knows that there is no way, no how I will ever cheat on him. We've been together for 23 years, so he knows that with all his heart.

Talking about it is a MUST. Not screaming, accusing blaming (though this doe sometimes happen, especially at first.) But being able to talk about it, ask questions, ask the same questoins over again until you are ready to move on from them. And counseling is very important!!

CynthiaElise

I'm so sorry to hear this happened to you. I can relate somewhat - we were never married but I stayed in the relationship. In my personal experience I was never able to let it go or forgive him completely. I'd punish him all the time without even realizing it, things like "going out with the guys" was no longer innocent (I always thought he was with another woman)... Things ended badly, I ended up cheating on him with someone I cared deeply about (someone who gave me everything my current bf couldn't) and that really killed me but ultimately it was for the best that we split.

I guess what I'm trying to say is if you decide to stay then you have to commit to forgiving him, loving him, and moving forward. If you can't do this then get out. NOW!

BeccaLevine

For me personally, I could not stay with a man that cheated on me. I have been cheated on before in a serious relationship (and I realize your situation is different being married with kids) but I left him. You need to respect yourself enough to know you deserve to be with someone who only wants you and stays committed. You know deep down every time he is late from work or this or that you are going to wonder if he's being unfaithful. And I know you say you love him, but love isn't always enough.

petstorekitty

Repeat of what others have said. It is about trust.
If there is no trust, every day is a challenge and miserable.

I speak from experience. Without my long depressing story the end of it is that I could not trust him. He repelled me. All I could see was him kissing her. He wanted someone other than me and that made me not want him anymore.

Trust is the easiest thing to break and the hardest thing to build.

IF You really want to keep at it, talk it out. Get every skelleton out of every closet. including the "little stuff" like if you hate that he leaves the toilet seat up and the big stuff like if he wants you to wash the dishes wearing a tutu.
If you guys can do that you will be able to learn whether it will work or not.

Evey relationship must have a Level of Acceptance: what you are willing to accept for your own happiness and sanity.

Staying together for kids or pets or rent is crap. We get married or commit to a person because we want to spend the rest of our lives with just that person.

Ugh. I hate cheaters. It's so bloody spineless and sad.

Bentley2718

Do you trust him now? If yes, then of course it can survive. If not, then no, it can't.

This.

LoraF83

I am in a situation... My husband had an affair... I caught him. He lied but then finally admitted it. I moved out in August. We have been together for 10 years and married for 8 with a 7 year old daughter. I recently moved back into the house. But in all honesty can a marriage really survive an affair?? I still love him with all my heart and things have changed for the better, but I'm not so sure we can live happy ever after. Advice or stories please!!

It depends on the people involved.

But, you could probably benefit from counseling AND you need to decide if you trust him. Constantly being worried about his behavior is no way to live.

NKF92879

You'll never be able to trust him again unfortunately.

I wholeheartedly, 100% disagree with this. A marriage most certainly CAN survive infidelity. It might take some counseling, but trust can rebuilt.

GeekGirl23

It can only survive if you both get help together to move on from it. Otherwise you may nag him or worry yourself to death.

Was the affair an emotional or just physical? Maybe there are things he needed that he wasn't open to sharing with you but he should if he wants to keep his family together.

marypatmccue

Get back together with him, but remind him of it every chance you get.

HAHA... yeah, that'll help the situation... :laugh: :laugh:

jplord

[/quote]
It depends on the people involved.

But, you could probably benefit from counseling AND you need to decide if you trust him. Constantly being worried about his behavior is no way to live.
[/quote]

This. I broke the ring of fidelity 7 years ago, and it is impossible to re-establish the trust and love we used to have. But we remain married because we both want ot keep trying, marriage is still good, and divorcing creates more problems than it solves.

angryguy77

Yes, you would be a fool not to take him back. Think of the possibilities-you can win every single argument by just saying "But you screwed a *kitten*." Or if he asks you to pass the salt-"Why don't you ask your *kitten* to pass it."

ctbloom

I'm sorry to say but no it can't. Marriage isn't just love between two human beings. It's the conjoining of their feelings, emotions, and falts. Once someone's cheated, your breaking out of everything you've worked so hard to obtain. Cheating should not be forgiven because in my opinion, is the worst possible thing one could do. It's saying "I love you, my heart is in your hands and nobody else's", and than turning around and saying it to another. I'm truly sorry about your situation but he does not deserve to be forgive for such an action.