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gregoire73
20th March 2008, 03:54 PM
Hi there

I’m new to these forums as my wife left me to go to her mums last Friday (14th) citing she did not love me any more. This is LONG, so apologies for that – just needs context.

Let me give you a bit of background. I never had a great deal of success with women during my 20’s. There were brief flings but no lasting relationships. I was out and about quite a lot but was never very good at small talk in bars and clubs to get talking to women and never had the confidence to go over and make the first move. I can be fairly sociable and am reasonably ok looking but most women I met wanted me as a ‘friend’.

So in 2002 at the age of 29, I tried my luck at Internet dating. After a few months I came into contact with Liz, 6 years my junior (age 23), who was to be my future wife. I really felt this was the first girl I could really relate to and we must have emailed and texted at least a thousand times before we met which was about 10 days after striking up our first online conversation.

We were a couple right from the start. I was absolutely sure this is what I’d been waiting for all my life Within a couple of months we had moved in together, we were constantly doing things together, times were very exciting, had some great holidays and trips away and we instantly became soulmates and were very much in love. The first year, we lived in a one bedroom apartment but had everything we needed and life was wonderful.

On our one year anniversary, on a weekend in Bruges in late 2003, I proposed and she said yes. And at around this time, we moved into a rented house together and things were going well. A few months later, we decided we wanted a house of our own and by the following summer (2004) we had bought our first house. Things were good despite at this stage, the initial excitement of our relationship subsiding which I assumed was natural. The next few months were taken up with decorating, buying furniture, etc.. everything we got was a joint decision and we spent most of our spare time together. By early 2005, we atarted planning the wedding in which Liz took the lead role.

With hindsight, the first cracks appeared in summer 2005. By this stage, a fault line had appeared with Liz often failing to support me or back me up in situations and me getting increasingly aggressive with things like other drivers on the road and noisy neighbours. Arguments seemed to increase but were solved quickly and had no concerns about anything. Our sex life had somewhat decreased from the heady early days to around once a month – Liz complained about a low sex drive which she attributed to the contraceptive pill. However, all was still good and we were both looking forward to our wedding in July 2006.

That day came and was wonderful apart from me getting involved in an argument with a bridesmaid over the choice of music the DJ was playing and she stormed out which made Liz cry – a bit of s scene at the end of the night. We had a great honeymoon but only had sex the single time.

Life went on as before on our return until September when I commenced a Masters Degree that took up a lot of my time. In December, we purchased a puppy which was very demanding. Xmas was a non-event and the first few months of 2007 were difficult and stressful – a situation exacerbated by Liz falling out with my mother. We had a great holiday in Greece in July and both commenced new jobs. In the months of September and October, I noticed a serious change in Liz’s attitude and behaviour. We constantly argued – common problems were Liz’s lack of tidiness, failing to support me and her extremely close relationship with her mother. I admit instigating many of the arguments in which I asked if she still loved me a couple of times.

In November 2007 I asked again if she loved me and she said she wasn’t sure. This threw everything into the air. The penny dropped and I was convinced that this was due to our arguments and my verbally aggressive behaviour. I was very keen to try but Liz was of the option ‘we’ll see how it goes’. By Xmas we were arguing again and felt Liz was not trying to contribute anything to our marriage. By this stage, we had not had sex for months. January was miserable and Liz took any excuse to spend the weekend with her family. In February, we agreed to give it a go again.. Liz passed her driving test late last year and I bought a car for her.

However, the weekend before last it broke – Liz left a sweet box on the kitchen unit that I asked if she could put elsewhere.. she retorted ‘it’s my house too’… to which I let rip insulting her and her family... she ignored everything which made me more angry We had further arguments over the weeknd which completely destabilised us again.

We lumbered through last week until Thursday we had a chat in which Liz broke down – the first time in all our recent trouble Liz showed emotion – I have being crying on and off for months… I admit I am quite an emotional person. On Friday we were emailing from work and she said she couldn’t face coming home and would stay at her mums and be back tomorrow. Saturday came and during the course of the day it was becoming clear she wasn’t coming home. She came on Sunday whilst I was out to collect some clothes and essentials.

Since then I have been in turmoil. I never thought it would hit me as bad as it has. By Sunday evening I was hysterical and have been in and out of work all week… I’ve been crying to my mum, friends.. spoke to a doctor, rang Samaritans at 5.30 am.. I have barely slept.

The problem is I still dearly love her. We have been communicating via text and email all week and she has made it clear that she tried to stop it but she simply does not love me anymore. She said it had been deteriorating for some time, possibly since the wedding. She has seen the state I’m in but refuses to come back. I know I played a big part in destroying her love for me. I cannot see a way through this. Everywhere I look in the house from the painting on the lounge wall, to the smell of her perfume still lingering to the cd collection holds so many good memories and I break down every time I see something. I reminisce about the wonderful years we spent together and wonder why it went so horribly wrong. I was always convinced she was the only girl for me and we would spend the rest of our days together – our marriage lasted 20 months. I am seeking counselling but have to wait for a while for availability. I cannot come to terms with my loss, people say I’ll get over it but the prospect of spending the rest of my life lonely is very bleak. We never spent more than a couple of nights away from one another and the six days since she went have felt an eternity. I have lost my best friend as well as my life.

On top of this, I am in the middle of a very busy period on my Masters which involves me working on coursework every weekend – I can barely string two thoughts together right now.

I apologise if you think it is melodramatic but I just need people’s advice.. I will try anything to help move me on from this.

Thank you in advance for any comments.

lonelylass
20th March 2008, 09:34 PM
Hi Greg,

I would say give it time, she may come back, she may not, but whichever way it turns out, you will be happy again.

Try not to take on too much right now, let your emotions run and deal with one thing at a time.

Counselling is OK (been there) but to be honest, getting your feelings out on here and getting advice is equally as beneficial.

I don't now whether you are a social man, but if you can, try and get out and socialise a bit, it helps to release the tension and gives the potential for new friends.

You haven't lost your life, you have lost someone you hold dear in your heart, it will heal, it just takes tme. Have some time for you now and look after yourself.

LoLa x

Alice Alice
20th March 2008, 11:01 PM
Hi Greg

i 2nd that what Lola has said

and i just want to add why are people who get hurt have to always worry about hurting our spouses feelings???

gregoire73
21st March 2008, 09:21 AM
Thank you lonelylass and Alice Alice for your kind words. I am running through a rollercoaster of emotions right now. Liz has left behind many of her things... for example coats she hasn't wore for a while in the cloakroom. I am slowly putting these things into bags and boxes and starting a pile in the utility room out of the way. I have placed all of our photo frames dotted around the house in a cupboard we used for our memorobilia - I will tackle that cupboard at a later date. Last night I prepared some food at home for the first time since we broke and could hardly eat any of it as she wasn't there at the table sitting opposite me. I really do feel I am picking up the pieces!

The problem is, we are still in very regular contact either email when at work or text. She is genuinely concerned about my welfare but states quite clearly her feelings have changed, it was the hardest decision she's ever made in her life and there is no going back. I don't know whether it is a good or bad thing having this contact but the thought of not hearing from her fills me with dread. I know at some point that day is going to come.

I am still not sleeping so have come into work on this Good Friday to get out of the house and do some of my Masters Degree coursework. I have a lot to get through and am not sure if I can focus fully.

Next week I have some friends coming for a night out that has been planned for a while... maybe that will help, I don't know.

912jws
21st March 2008, 10:22 AM
Hi Greg,

I feel for you as I am in exactly the same situation and know that losing someones love that you really truly believed in is a very painful thing to deal with.
The trouble is I think people get wrapped in their own lives and forget what the other person wants and we take things for granted, before you know it little niggles are turning into big issues and things have blown out of control.
The problem I have found is that my wife didn't confront her issues where as I am a pretty open and honest person so I brought up my issues with her but that I think only made things worse from her perspective.
Perhaps time apart will help but in my case it has only made things worse and I am slowly coming to terms with the situation.

I hope you get some resolve out of this and talking openly on here will help you air some emotions with people in a similar situation.

Chin up!

Jon

lonelylass
21st March 2008, 11:58 AM
Hi Greg,

A couple of things, firstly ask her to collect her things if you can, what you are doing is a good thing if it is helping you.

Secondly, do try to keep the contact to a minimum, it sounds like she genuinely regrets the hurt she is causing you and still cares, but if you are anything like me you will be clinging to her every word and potentially false hope. This will help you to move on from this awful situation.

Glad you have a social gathering to look forward to, it won't feel the same without her, just be yourself and if you need a good cry, let it out, your friends will understand.

LoLa x

gregoire73
21st March 2008, 09:09 PM
Thanks for your comments Jon and LoLa

The problem I have found is that my wife didn't confront her issues where as I am a pretty open and honest person so I brought up my issues with her but that I think only made things worse from her perspective.That sounds very similar to us. Liz told me back in November she had been very unhappy for some time but couldn't open up and say why.. she said I had just 'ground her down' and 'wasn't sure' if she was 'in love' with me or not. I too am a very open and honest person and wear my heart on my sleeve. Liz just became very very cold and the more I tried to break the ice, the further inward she became until she said she could stand no more. Jon, I have read your story with interest and I really feel for you in your situation and having children as well must make it heartbreaking for you. It is good to a forum like this to express your sadness to understanding people.

firstly ask her to collect her things if you can, what you are doing is a good thing if it is helping you.She has told me her space is limited at her mums house so would need to leave things here. There are certain wardrobes and drawers I just do not open. I know at some point she will need more things and will probably do it while I am out... I don't know whether that would upset me more though, knowing she has been in our house and not seeing her.

do try to keep the contact to a minimum, it sounds like she genuinely regrets the hurt she is causing you and still cares, but if you are anything like me you will be clinging to her every word and potentially false hope. This will help you to move on from this awful situation.You are very right from a rational, logical perspective - I know that. Emotionally, I just cannot bear to let go. Sometimes the tone of her messages are very cold and distant which sums up how she became in the last few months. I just cannot understand how someone can change so much in a relatively short period of time. She was the perfect girlfriend / fiancee / wife before last year.

I am a person who very much hates being on his own for prolonged periods of time. I have never lived alone and valued her companionship as much as anything else. My friends are settled and have their own lives and families or are not living local any more and my parents have been very traumatised themselves by this and as elderly people, they should not have to suffer my tears.

I am positive I will get over this initial heartbroken feeling in time but am very worried about living a lonely life thereafter.

lonelylass
22nd March 2008, 10:29 AM
Hi Greg,

I was with my H for 20yrs and have never lived alone until last October, yes it's bloody hard and scary at first, but you WILL get there and who knows, you may not be alone forever.

If she has keys to your place I assume it is in joint names? If so, you need to look at your rights asap just in case things turn nasty, from what you have said I don't think they will, but she is using it as a storage facility and it isn't fair on you. The other matter being coming home one day and finding your tv (eg) gone. Just be careful, that's all I'm saying.

Have a good Easter and keep posting on here, you're doing fine.

LoLa x

912jws
22nd March 2008, 11:22 PM
You are very right from a rational, logical perspective - I know that. Emotionally, I just cannot bear to let go. Sometimes the tone of her messages are very cold and distant which sums up how she became in the last few months. I just cannot understand how someone can change so much in a relatively short period of time. She was the perfect girlfriend / fiancee / wife before last year.

I am a person who very much hates being on his own for prolonged periods of time. I have never lived alone and valued her companionship as much as anything else. My friends are settled and have their own lives and families or are not living local any more and my parents have been very traumatised themselves by this and as elderly people, they should not have to suffer my tears.

I am positive I will get over this initial heartbroken feeling in time but am very worried about living a lonely life thereafter.

Greg,

My wife has done exactly the same, in the space of say 5 or 6 months she has gone from ok(showing some love) to nothing, so much so that the way she is now I feel like I don't know her anymore, its a weird feeling knowing deep down how much you love her but now your not sure, i think its just a natural defense emotion, the way she was on Thursday has proved to me that she is way ahead of me in the emotion stakes and I think there is no looking back and no giving myself false hope which is so easy to do as lonelylass has said. Its not easy to let go but you have to try, I think people will say that if you let go she will come back if she really wants to.
That is my biggest fear is that my wife realises what she has done in time and its too late, but I think it is already too late TBH or that's perhaps my emotions making me think that.

I have been officially living on my own for about a month now, stayed in a B&B for 6 weeks in the hope it would only be temporary, but it is getting easier, I have highs and lows as you can appreciate, I like you miss all the companionship and sharing and long to have that back at the moment. I try and be positive and think I am a decent bloke and there are plenty of nice women out there and it's only a matter of time before i meet someone and get some spark back into my life.

I do hope you can sort things out and give her some space and let time decide.

Look after yourself

Jon