Hi Gemini,
I know this is totally random since it's been over a year from when you first posted about your situation, but I am literally going through the same exact predicament right now and I was wondering what your outcome was. I've been with my husband for 6 years, been best friends with him for 15, and our 1 year marriage anniversary is this Saturday. I started having an emotional affair with my coworker about 5 months ago and I'm still struggling with it. We have since gotten physical, which obviously complicates things further. My husband knows that I have/had feelings and that I've kissed him, but doesn't know the real gory details of it all. I'm torn because I still love my husband and can't imagine my life with out him, but have these strong feelings for this man I work with. I just turned 28 and this is so uncharacteristic of me. I feel guilty all the time and know I have to make a decision one way or another, but just can't seem let to of either guy, and believe me I've tried to let go out my coworker. Not to mention that my coworker is completely head over heels in love with me, making my decision that much harder. Basically, no matter who I choose, I'm hurting someone in the end. It's killing me. I am not one to seek advice from a forum, but when I read your post after googling "affair with a coworker", I felt compelled to reach out and see if you had any advice for me. People keep telling me to do what makes me happy, but it's just not that simple because I don't know what will make me happy long term. The unknown scares me. Plus, as you alluded to, people are so quick to make judgments, especially if they haven't been in such a predicament. Any ways, I'd love to hear from you- what your ultimate decision was, if you are happy with it, struggles you had, any and all insight, etc. Thank you and I look forward to (hopefully) hearing from you.
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Originally Posted by Gemini27
Well first a bit about myself and my marriage. My husband and i are in our late 20's and we have been together for 8 years, married for 6. We have a very good life and have always been pretty happy in general. We enjoy the same hobbies, have the same goals and dreams and care alot for one another. We do not have any children, but they were part of the plan. Atleast, the original plan we had.
About a year ago, I met Dan, a new co worker, and was immediately attracted. It was obvious that Dan was attracted to me too. Over the next few weeks Dan and I became close friends (this was new and unexpected to me, I am not the type to get close to other guys or even deliberately flirt). It started with workplace flirting, then texting and long phone calls just talking about anything and everything. As I began to develop feelings for Dan, I found myself pushing myself away from my husband which was not hard to do when he started working nights and I worked days. Dan became my closest friend and we confided to each other that we both had feelings for one another. While my marriage was still "average" at home and my husband and I were getting along just fine I found myself telling Dan that things were rocky and falling apart when in reality they weren't. I think maybe I just wanted to justify reasons for my behavior and make Dan feel ok about wanting me in return. Dan dated a couple women throughout the year, but in the end I was the only one he really wanted to be with, and we still continued to talk. When his last relationship failed we began the physical part of the affair and the feelings got much deeper. We planned to start a life together and after weeks of worrying about the decision I decided to tell my husband I was having an affair. At this point my head and heart were both completely confused as to what I wanted, but I told him anyways. That was 3 weeks ago, and these have been the worst 3 weeks of my life. My husband is absolutely devastated and heart broken but refuses to give up on our marriage. I am still living at home, and having second thoughts about every decision I have made. My husband is willing to do everything he can to forgive me, and only wants to be with me regardless of all of my lies, unfaithfulness and hurt I've put him thru. He is truly the best human being that I know, he's honest, loyal, loving and kind and I don't deserve him. My heart is torn right now, I wish it was as easy as letting go of Dan, and falling back in love with my husband and living happily ever after. But my feeings for Dan are genuine too, and I would be heart broken to break my ties with him and never know what could have been. When I think of never seeing or speaking to him again, I physically feel sick. But when I think of losing my husband, devastating our families, going thru a divorce and starting over on life I'm completely afraid. I know these feelings are normal, and I know that whatever path I choose I will make the best and give it my all.
As I read this post myself, it sounds like I'm an awful person. I'm not thinking very highly of myself this year, and I truly don't want to hurt anyone. If anybody has had a similar experience out there, I guess I'm just looking for some insight or someone to listen. I haven't been able to talk to anyone about my feelings because I'm embarrassed and ashamed of my actions.
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