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female
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LaraJ
writes: I'm struggling with the same thing as before...My attraction to my friend's husband. I have tried to avoid him like the plague, but we still end up seeing each other coincidentally, our kids are very good friends,etc. I have no problem seeing him, but I feel like my feelings for him have probably escalated or something and I think he can see this. He maybe sees this crush I have on Him? He gives me some intense looks back and I feel this electricity between us...I didn't expect to develop that sort of feeling, I am a married woman and I didn't think I'd feel like that after marrying my husband. There is alot of strain on my marriage at the momment, my husband works long and late hours. My concern is that this thing between my friend's husband and I seems like it's about to boil over and we'll admit some sort of feelings for each other...Is this okay, to just say okay, yes if we weren't attached, etc, but let's just leave it alone?? I feel like I can't keep hidding my feelings for him, my heart aches whenever I see him..I know I can't have an affair, but I'd like to tell him that I'm very fond of him,I Like spending the time we do share (of Course it's with the kids at the pool,etc). I've known my friend and her husband and family for 4 years. We're really close and I continue to struggle with this. What should I do? Should we keep ignoring the attraction Or should we talk about it?
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affair, crush, friend's husband, married woman Reply to this Question |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (27 February 2007): The heart, like a glass - once fully filled - it leaves no room for others. The dangereous came when the water is drained - it gives room for other liquid. Exactly because it's hard not to spill the water - it must have been a hard thing to do to guard the glass ! Sometimes it's accidently broken, or some other party purposely break it - but sometimes also just tempted to spill it a little bit.
"how can your find your soulmates if your heart is overoccupied with your affair?", a question in a conversation.
"no, he is my soulmates !", her answer is actually the question.
Not many people can run away from this easily when they are already inside it,so many emotional things added to the complexity - which exactly the sooner can get out is the better.
A
female
reader, LaraJ +, writes (14 February 2007):
LaraJ is verified as being by the original poster of the questionMy friendship to my girlfriend is over. Unfortunately, in an attempt to say Goodbye via email,(because they are supposed to be moving out of state). In my email I stated that I would miss ALL of them, but she saw it as some sort of attempt to get them to stay, which is so absurd. In my mind I was relieved that they were moving so I wouldn't have to think about them anymore...they complained about each other behind each other's back. It was getting to be exhausting just to know them! He shared the email or she found it, not sure which way it came up. She has condemned me and said that she never wants to talk to me again. She pretty much thinks that I'm wrong and that she knew that I had a crush...Well, guess what? I told my husband all about her accussing me of what I would never do...never had in my mind to do. My husband thinks that HE (My girlfriend's husband) was the one that had a Major thing/Crush on me. She has threatened to show the email to my husband etc. It's so stupid. I think her husband needed some kind of way to put me in a bad light so he could move on and she could cut her friendship off with me. That's what my husband thinks, and my Husband is probably right. I know I can hold my head up high. I never did anything wrong...but be their friends to the fullest extent....But they have ended it. And that's okay with me! I feel like such a burden has been lifted off of me. It's been a few weeks since all that happened...interesting that someone posted a new reply. Thanks. I made the right decision, but didn't relize a stupid email saying Goodbye and GoodLuck would ruin a friendship!!!
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (11 February 2007): sometimes in life we can't always get involved with the people we are attracted to. Think about all the people they going to be hurt. your husband, your friend and the children. just think if it's was your friend who did it to you. you would have felt bretrayed with someone you trusted to be around you and around your family.don't be selfish.don't do anything that you may regret. I think what you need is your husband to give you a little bit more affection that he give you right now and the only way is to talk to him and let him know what you needs.mathy mukendi
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female
reader, ariel +, writes (2 September 2006):
Hi LaraJ,
For the record I have not confused you with the other poster.And do understand what Juliette is trying to get across,BUT you are lusting after another woman's, your best friends husband.It is BLINDING you and Juliette she will not be able to see clearly what the consequences of her actions will be.
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male
reader, Wild Thaing +, writes (1 September 2006):
Ariel, don't confuse LaraJ with that other woman who has hijacked this thread. At least LaraJ has the courage to identify herself - the other one hides behind the anonymous button while she continues to torment us with her fantasy.
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female
reader, Juliette +, writes (1 September 2006):
Your question shows all the pain you are going through and all the torment these unwelcome feelings are giving you. You know the answer but that does not help what you are trying to deal with, nor do sanctimonious idealist answers dictating what is wrong or right in the eyes of others. The answer has to be right for YOU. I can not encourage nor discourage you to tell him. What may help is a counselling technique where to divide a large piece of paper into 4 and writes 4 headings. 1. Possible consequences of taking action to me. 2. Possible consequences of not taking action to me. 3. How taking action may affect others. 4. How not taking action may affect others. Doing this will give you an objective view of your choices in front of you, all at once.
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female
reader, ariel +, writes (1 September 2006):
Malyce it looks like no matter what we say Lara J has made up her mind to tell him anyway.
Sisterhood rule:Never steel another womans man its just too tacky for words.
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reader, anonymous, writes (1 September 2006): The HONEST thing to do is to love your husband or leave him since you can contemplate romantic intrest in another who is not your husband and who is already committed.
The WRONG thing to do is to tell this married man hence, unavailable man how you feel towards him. It isn't your place.
If you can not conceive of talking to his wife about how you feel or your husband then let it go.
That is what an HONEST person would do.
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female
reader, LaraJ +, writes (31 August 2006):
LaraJ is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks for all the feedback. By the way, I never ever said I'm in love with this man. I don't know why that was the title of this thing. I am trying to avoid any contact/interaction with him. Ironically, he left something for me with his wife to give me. I'm just wondering if he's still trying to show me that he thinks about me or cares for me. I don't think my feelings will just go away, and I think that deep down at the right time, I will just tell him in some small way that I care about him. I don't think it's the WRONG thing to do, just the HONEST thing, and I'll tell him that I'm not looking to ruin our friendship or marriages. I just think it's gonna come down to that. I hope you all resolve your differences, and I'm not the same person Wild Thaing referred to!!
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female
reader, eyeswideopen +, writes (29 August 2006):
If life is so great why do you keep writing back on this thread? Just wander off into that lovely fantasy world you live in and forget about this site. Please.
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reader, anonymous, writes (28 August 2006): I'd rather be anything but you...someone gotta have really a poor spirit to feel envy of someone they don't even know.
Are you glad to know he and my husband are still friends?
Are you glad my husband forgave me and still wants to be with me after all this?
Are you glad his friend agreed with me about everything I said about what it's love between a man and a woman? And guess what? I based all that in my feelings for him.
Are you glad his friend does not judge me and tries the best he can to undertand all this?
Are you glad that when he advices my husband he tells him not to think about my feelings for him when deciding what to do?
He also told my husband:" Many people are married and they don't have romantic feelings for their spouse, some people are able to live just fine like that, as for me, I could not be in a relationship knowing the girl does not have romantic feelings for me, you are in love with her but she is not in love with you, but if you feel you can be happy knowing she just loves you then that's your decision."
So, are you glad to know how civilized we can all talk about these things?
No, you are not...
You would be glad if my husband would hate me right now.
You would be glad if because of this they had broken the friendship.
You would be glad if his friend had judged me and said all kind of bad things about me.
That's the end you wished for me.
Why am I looney? Just because I fell in love for my husband's friend and let him know that?
Really, you will NEVER know what it feels like to feel this for somebody. Bod Dylan has a song where he says:" YOU ARE NOBODY TILL SOMEONE LOVES YOU". What a lie! The truth is: " YOU ARE NOBODY TILL YOU LOVE SOMEONE". The fact someone love us that does not do anything for you. It's when we love someone that makes the difference.
I almost feel like holding on to this feeling till I die, because even though it hurts but it's a good feeling, it's a wonderful feeling. Even though he has said his feelings for me is just friendship and nothing more but he has given me a few moments of bliss that will last a life time...like that tight hug where I could feel my breasts being squeezed against his chest, just ONCE he hugged me like that, that is the BEST hug I got in my life, the long eye contact at the restaurant, we gazed so deep but so deep into each other eyes, that moment will last a life time, I can NEVER forget that...his sweet, soft voice on the phone, his silly little jokes on the phone and his laugh...that was the most delicious laugh I ever heard...the look in his eyes, his smile...his smiling face is all I see...his presence...his presence was like...I can't put into words...My feelings for him are like the best thing I ever felt...I love to have these feelings, really...it makes me feel so good despite of all hurt. His wife is a blessed wowan.
Do you know what my husband told me yesterday? He said:" I can see why you regret and you don't regret telling him about your feelings. Right now you wish you had said or you had done things different but it doesn't matter, what it matters you had to say the truth and even though that hurts me but that is the true."
Even though my husband is still hurt, sad and confused but he undertands all this like I never expected. In the same way that I never expected his friend would want to tell my husband if he did not feel the same, I never expected either my husband would undertsand this. My husband undertsand that I did not choose to fall in love for his friend, my husband undertsands why I had to let him know. So what my husband thinks of me that's what matters and not a poor woman like you.
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reader, anonymous, writes (28 August 2006): To Quote The Mighty and All Knowing Monty Python:
"YOU'RE A LOONEY!"
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reader, anonymous, writes (28 August 2006): I won't waste my precious time with you anymore. I feel sorry for you, really...you are just so envy of me and you don't even know me...
I'm sure you have NEVER been in love in your life and neither you have never being loved...
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reader, anonymous, writes (27 August 2006): Wow...
I am sure your question is hopefully answered...
Evidence of all the mental anguish that could push you into some allusory world where the friend can really love you and you can both live happily ever after.*rollseyes*
Hope he doesn't call the police on you or the hubby doesn't have you commited.
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female
reader, eyeswideopen +, writes (27 August 2006):
and again...sigh
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reader, anonymous, writes (26 August 2006): Hey Malyce_Synn72, aren't you gonna say anything?Hey Girl- I'm sorry to steal your question, but some of this people here are so funny. So you feel attracted to your friend's husband and I LOVE my husband's friend and then they had to think it was the same person, how hillarious. Am I the only one that has fallen for the husband's friend? Probably not something very commom but I'm sure I'm not the only one, so don't be thinking it's me if you see more questios like this.You and other people were very harsh with me with your words, you thought you were helping me but you were not, your words just made me feel worse. Now I can see that you and the other people that were being so harsh with me, actually you never had the intention to help, you guys just really wanted to made me feel worse. After I said how thanks God everything turned out to be ok, neither you or the other mean people said something like" girl, I'm happy things turned out to be ok". After I said things turned to be ok, you continued to call me obessed. You know, I'm sure you NEVER have fallen in love in your life, that's why it's so hard for you to undertand my feelings for him. I have EVERYTHING I need with my husband, I have a friend, a supporter, security, great sex, I just don't have this FEELING that is the best thing I ever felt. I know all my husband's friend's flaws. I can see everything that I don't think it looks that good on him, like his wrinckes, the skin on his neck, the shape of his ears, his anterior teeth, the thing is that my feelings for him are not based on his appereance but besides being able to see his flaws I still find him very handsome, he is very handsome to me, what I love the most about him is his personality, he is 46 but I'm sure he feels 28, the way he carries himself around facinates me, he is young at heart and I love that on him. I love the way he talks, I love the look in his eyes, that smile is the thing I love the best about him, the sound of his laugh I hear it all the time, have you felt this before for somebody? I'm sure you don't!And no matter how wrong it was to tell him that but It was WORTHY. It's a mistake I will never regret, it's a mistake I had to commit, it was by best mistake ever. It feels really good to leave knowing that I put all my feelings out there, it feels really good to live knowing he knows exatly how I feel about him. I would do everything again, the only thing I would do different is that I would tell him in person, telling in person, looking him in the eyes, I'd be able to know for sure what he feels even if he said with words he did not feel the same. I must be in monumental denial like someby here said, but I still do feel he feels something for me but he is just fighting and I'm still hanging on to a tiny little shred of hope that some day he will look for me.I'm gonna go to a terapist and counseling very soon. I have reasons to think that, once when he was calling on Saturdays morning knowing my husband wasn't home, my husband said:" I can see he has a genuine interest in getting to know his friend's wife" After I told my husband about my feelings, my husband said:" It's not because he likes you that it means he would like you that way. But anyway, time will tell me if I'm wrong or right. If he does look for me some day I'm sure it will be like 3 years at the most. If he does not look for me in 3 years then I guess I'll stop hoping. I NEVER felt someone liked me,I feel so strong he has feelings for me. Like me, he is a man of princibles, of values, of good character, I went against my values, I went against I believe it's right for him. So he would have to face a lot of people and give up a lot to be with me, while as for me, I only would have to divorce my husband, what I guess I'll do it anyway. I'm not from USA, I have anybody from my family here with me, I just have a best friend and few friends. While he has a big family and many friends. So it's not impossible that while he says his feelings for me are just friendship and nothing more, he must be thinking about things, if it's really worthy. But maybe he really feels nothing for me and I'm just in momumental denial but time will tell me. Any way, I think it's nice of him he does not judge me and tries to undertand the situation and advise my husband to look for a relationship where both will be in love. When he said there was a void in me and when I saw him again that void was filled and then I latched on to him, can somebody please tell me what extaly "latched on to" means? I can not find a clear meaning in any dictionary.Lately I'm leaning towards getting divorce. I told my husband if there is any way we can work things out I will do that, I think I'll just have everything figure out for sure after counseling. What it's been hard for me to decide is if it's really worthy to leave a such wonderful, amzing man like my husband to look for the in love feeling. I will ask the terapist if it's possible to feel this again and what are my chances of feeling this for someone that will feel the same for me. This feeling I'm talking about is not based on beauty, is not based on qualities, it's not based on the things someone does for you, it's a mystery. My husband's friend's wife she is not even pretty, I mean, she is not ugly, but she is just to plain looking. She is Philippino, she is 5'2 at the most, her hair is too thick and dull, really, I look at her and she does not have anything attractive and he loves her. Look what he told my husband:" Some people can be in a relationship without romance, I could not, if you feel you can continue being with her knowing she does not have romantic feelings for you then it's your decision". I never imagined he was that in love with her and I had reasons to think that, their love story is far from being a beautiful love story, plus the fact she is too plain looking then it was not hard for me to think that maybe he did not love her, plus the thing he loves the most she does not like. He loves nature, animals, being outdoors, she loves big cities, she hates being outdoors and nature,she doesn't even like pets. But he is still able to love her despite of her plain looks and their differences.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (26 August 2006): Hey Malyce_Synn72, aren't you gonna say anything?
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female
reader, eyeswideopen +, writes (24 August 2006):
She's back...sigh
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reader, anonymous, writes (24 August 2006): No, this lady IS NOT ME! And for your business Malyce_Synn72...I AM NOT OBESSED with my husband's friend and neither I did that over an attraction, you are such a jerk...really. Why don't you get it that I do love him? Last july my husband went to his house and spent a week at his house and I didn't want to go, do you know why? Because I felt it was wrong to go there and spend time with him and his wife pretending I was a friend when my feelings were so far from friendship. I know I could desguise what i feel for a few hours but not days. If i was obessed I would never tell him about my feelings, if I was obessed i would never want this to end, I told him because i wanted to set my herat free and now it's free. If i was obessed I could have tried to get the closest I could to him as a friend and that would be so easy.
Girl- don't do that...you will regret. The way you describe you are just really bored and you are just very attracted to him. In my case, my husband has always been wonderful, our sex life is great, but that feeling for his friend never left me alone.
As for me I do have reasons to regret and I do have reasons not to regret. I regret because their friendship will not be the same, I regret because that brought so much hurt and shame for my husband. I don't regret because just now I am able to move on. Those feelings were consumming all my thoughts and energy, to tell him it was a mistake I had to commit. This all is just making my relationship with my husband to grow stronger. My feelings for his friend blinded so much that I could not see how much my husband means to me, I could not see how much I love my husband. what I feel for his friend I never felt for my husband but whatever it is I feel for my husband is more than enough for me to be happy with him. Now I will be able to be the wife my husband deserves. Now I will commit to him and our marriage like never before. I feel very bad because I told him but I can't regret, I could not go my whole life wondering if he felt the same. His friend does not jugde me or ridiculed my feelings for him as I thought. I thought that because I was very hurt. He even tries to undertand all this. Recently, he told my husband:" When she married you she did not love you and even though she thought you were handsome, nice, etc, but there was a void on her and when she saw me again that void was filled and then she latched on to me". He is been nice about it. He also told my husband:" I know you love each other and you care about each other but you are in love with her but she is not in love with you. If you are ok with she just loving you that's your decision but don't you want a relatioship where the girl will be in love with you too?" So my husband was really thinking about divorcing me but despite ALL this he still loves me and I love him and if I can't have who I'm in love with so I'll just have who is in love with me and I'll be very happy too.
Believe me, I feel very , very bad for revealing my true feelings but just I know the intensity of my feelings, I had to let him know and I will never regret. He is very happily married- great, and I will be too.
My husband and I got to the point where we can talk about all this and not to fight about it, and I told his friend just a month ago, I think it's very good we are able to talk about this in a civilized way. My husband is pretty sure he wants to remain with me but he said he wants to be 100%. I'm sure he will be with me. His friend also told him:" When deciding what to do, do not think of her feelings for me, think about everything you have given into this relationship and what she has given to you?"
It's just so sad that my husband will never be able to hang out with his friend and his wife again...that is too sad...but I don't know...maybe in 10, 15 years everybody will be over this and then we can hang out again. I'm pretty sure his friend think my husband wuill divorce me for sure, I hope he will not be desappointed with my husband's decision. My husband and I have a VERY, VERY, special bond, I can tell you that even if his friend liked me that way, not right away, but awhile later, my husband and I would be friends again.
Again, I WOULD NEVER TAKE THAT RISK over a physical attrcation, I can see perfectly aLL his flaws. But if you wants to believe I did all that over"an attraction" and I am just obessed- great...continue thinking these things.
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reader, anonymous, writes (23 August 2006): Keep your legs shut to the crush as well and let them wide open to the hubby.
I suggest that you start taking the initiative in the bedroom. Ever reall have a conversation with the hubby about fantasies?
How about being naught with him; taking the sex somewhere out of the bedroom, house?
How about learning something new like take a painting course, or pottery, or ballroom dancing? Ask the hubby to come to a few classes?
Ask him questions that you never dared to ask. Get to know him all over again.
Work on it. Re-commit. LOVE him.
Just loving him, cooking him his fav meals, giving him a rub down before bed, will do wonders.
Small acts of kindness will turn any man's heart around.
GOOD LUCK.
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female
reader, LaraJ +, writes (21 August 2006):
LaraJ is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks again for all the advice. Maybe it's all in my head, and I'm bored. I am BORED. It's just that when I start to move on with my tortured feelings he calls and invites us to the pool, and I am HAPPY like some kind of lovesick teenager. I like that I'm getting that sort of feeling, butterflies, etc. I know how morally wrong this is, but I'm human right? I think it's mistaken fate for sure, there's just too many things this man and I have in common and agree about..I will keep my mouth shut and hope none of this amounts to anything. Thank you all.
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female
reader, ariel +, writes (19 August 2006):
Just picture the scenario after.You will give rise to feelings that will not go away feelings like: remorse ,guilt;regret;panic; shame;fear;emptiness;self-hate are to name a few.Think of the impact it will have on your children.Nothing measures up to the pain of a broken heart.
Your wedding vows where not"For better or till I get.. bored.
Think.............long and hard.
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female
reader, Irish49 + ♥, writes (19 August 2006):
I really hope you aren't the same woman, as in the thread that Wild Thaing, refers too. That was an arduous, tortuous read and I would like to say that thread was the most arduous, tortuous read I have ever encountered on this website. The woman in this thread was indeed in psychological pain and in monumental denial...don't do what she did. Read it and learn from it!
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male
reader, Wild Thaing +, writes (19 August 2006):
This is deja vu all over again.
Please read the following (frustrating) thread entitled "I've always loved my husband's friend more than I love my husband. Why doesn't the feeling go away?". You sound just like this woman. Are you the same one?
The short answer: Don't confess anything to your friend, and don't further encourage these "intense looks".
It takes two to choose an affair, and you are looking for an escape from the problems within your marriage and fill gaps in your life. Think about it this way: If you have an affair you will condemn your children to a lifetime of suffering.
In the end you are an adult and can make your own choices. Just be mindful of the consequences and take responsibility for them. Good luck and take care.
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female
reader, eyeswideopen +, writes (18 August 2006):
Do NOT tell him how you feel, try not to see him but if you must then only see him with his wife present, keep ignoring the attraction as it will certainly fade anyway, focus on your family and that should do it. This is just a momentary crush if you act upon you will end up feeling very very foolish. Good luck.
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reader, anonymous, writes (18 August 2006): You sound just like another woman who posted on here and guess what...it turned out she is just an obsessive woman who was encouraged to tell her "husband's" friend of her attraction.
It supposedly went bad for; he told his wife and her husband.
In the end, it was all in her head-the attraction, the "electricity".
So stop it.
Focus on getting some marriage counseling and enroll into a "rekindling the marriage fires" class nearby. Go to the yellow pages and look for class/course that would aid you into stregthening your marriage.
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male
reader, Maxfana +, writes (18 August 2006):
I have same problem same you. But i have intresting on my sister in law. I am married to and have son. We seeing toghter each time and sending SMS toghter.
But never said toghter love or other. But I enjoy this hide relation also don't thing develope this relation to have sex with her.
I like have talking or touching or just kiss. But I love my wife and family.
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (16 August 2006): Oh please don't do this....You are bored and following in the path of countless others."there is a lot of strain on my marriage at the moment"That is the problem here and it is what you should be addressing. The feelings you may have for this other man are not good for you, or your husband, or your children, or his wife. You would be wise to tell your husband you've got a crush on this bloke then you can begin to concentrate on each other without anything having happenned to damage your marriage. You may think it's harmless and in contol now but it won't stay that way and many hearts could be broken.It's not a simple unimportant thing is it? otherwise you wouldn't be on an agony aunt page asking for advice. Please take some.. Don't do it...Love at first sight is easy to understand, it's when two people have been looking at each other a lifetime it becomes a miracle .
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