I wanted to provide an update on my situation. My wife was back in Chicago last week from Friday through Friday. She came home last Friday, but went back Sunday afternoon and won’t be home again until this Friday.
I did learn that she spent Friday through midday Sunday with her new friend as well as Wednesday evening. I received little information or communication during this time. The information I did receive was either misleading or in some cases just plain false until I told her I knew she was lying. We talked little after that point.
One of our children had a weekend obligation out of town and I asked my wife to go along to support him. He rode along with another family to the event on Friday, so my wife and I could ride together. This gave us a couple of hours to talk without anyone around. To keep this short, we had a good talk, but she said a lot of things that give me little hope of any recovery of our relationship. She told me she lost respect for me, that she isn’t attracted to me anymore, and that spending time with him is like fireworks. She realizes that I am an excellent provider to her and our kids, but that she is not happy. She knows the newness will wear off, but is drawn to this guy. After she talked, I simply asked why she ever said she could date both of us. It doesn’t sound like that is even an option. She agreed. We did hug a few times and held hands at some times during our conversation. We did not kiss or have sex at all over the weekend and she told me that those are both off the table at this time.
I then told her that if I am just here to provide for her financial needs but we have no relationship, then it is time to start the process of legally separating. She didn’t want to do that but didn’t have a clear reason why. I explained that I was fairly sure that our state requires a minimum period of separation before we could proceed with getting a divorce. Given what she has said, I see no reason to drag this out. She doesn’t respect me, she isn’t stopping her affair with this guy, she isn’t around for me or the kids. She also has no regard for my feelings and no appreciation for everything I do for her. I believe that the best next step is to let her see what life will be like without me to rely on.
We haven’t told the kids yet, but we are all doing fine at home without her here.