Yes, He Cheated.. But, I Am Staying. Here’s Why

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been considered the luckiest woman alive because of the man I married. He is the most thoughtful, kind, and compassionate person I’ve ever encountered. Our marriage has been referred to as a fantasy, and for many other couples, they hope they could have a similar relationship. We’re popular on social media, our city and amongst family and friends primarily because of how wonderful our family seems.

He treats me like a princess and is responsible for the multi-million dollar business I call my own. I have retired my mother and father and am living the life I could only have envisioned. As a father, he is incredible; he does 80% of the activities with the children. I never had the baby blues or a bad postpartum experience. He treated me with care and support throughout the process. Whatever I needed, he was there 100%.

However, our boat was severely rocked when I discovered that this flawless human I called mine had cheated on me. Worse, with a hooker. Did it hurt? I was devastated. Was he remorseful? He was far more sorry than I expected. He lost weight. He wasn’t sleeping. He wasn’t eating and had lost interest in all of the hobbies I’d known him to enjoy since we met. I was so shattered and asked for time to think. I always swore I would leave if he ever cheated, but the reality was very different than I had imagined.

This was a man who was really good to me. A man who loved and cared for me deeply. I had no idea this was possible, and while it took some time and effort, I was able to erase it and think it of it as a horrible dream. I chose to stay. We worked on trust and gradually made our way back to where we were.

I am aware that many women would leave in the blink of an eye, and I believed I was one of them, but I couldn’t imagine my life without him, our beautiful family, and all the memories we planned to make happen. I couldn’t envision breaking my kids’ hearts considering how obsessed they were with their father. I stayed because humans make mistakes. I stayed because some people’s outstanding traits tend to outweigh their bad. I stayed because I knew that while I was broken now, it would be nothing compared to how I would feel if our family split apart.

I’m sharing this with women who may, sadly, find themselves in a similar circumstance. I know the world will tell you to leave, but make the greatest decision for yourself by yourself. Consider the man he truly is vs his wrongdoing. It will rip you apart, but depending on how your partner reacts to this, don’t rush to leave.

I’ve witnessed marriages with husbands who watch their wives struggle with parenting, offer no support, and are entirely inactive at home while the woman goes through hell and back. The truth is, that man may be faithful, but what does it matter if he cannot care for his wife and is unmoved by her pain? A woman should leave an unsupportive man who watches her lose herself and deteriorate mentally while doing nothing to help her over a man who loves and cares for her but makes a stupid mistake.

Now, am I saying I will stay if he cheats again? Absolutely not. But one time is not enough reason for me to leave in comparison to the happiness I have experienced for over a decade with him.

Siged – Anonymous J.