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Love was not enough to keep us together

lost hope's picture

I tried and really did want it to work, but we both had to really want it. We had one counseling appointment together 2 1/2 weeks ago and ex-FDH refused to go back for the next one, instead he decided that going out on the boat and drinking with his buddy was more important than working on us and said he'd call me when they got back in that night. Well, I didn't hear from him since he left to go on the boat (that was Saturday morning) and so today, I finally broke down and called him and said I wouldn't continue to play this little game he is playing and that I was tired of it and since he won't put any effort into working things out then I'll make the decision to just end it. I told him I would not continue to go on like this, that either we both wanted it to work or forget it. He wasn't too happy, some choice words were said and he said some things that given where we are at I'm not sure if they are even forgivable. He got pretty mean.

I tried to not cry and be rude, but he said things that yes they were out of frustration and being hurt, but I'll admit I got rude right back and told him that maybe if he could be a parent and not treat his son like he was his fiance, that this would have never of happened. That I would not continue to be treated like crap by his son and be expected to take it and not say or do anything - his son is 18 so he is old enough to know exactly what he is doing. Unfortunately, ex FDH is a guilty parent who thinks that his kids can do no wrong and that because they have a 4.0 he overlooks everything else. His kids have never gotten any consequences or punishment for anything that they have done - including when his son drank so much he had to have his stomach pumped and when his daughter (16) threw a party & had unprotected sex.

I tried the disengaging and unfortunately for me, it backfired. ex FDH did not come around and it just caused more problems between us. His son got even more angry towards me for it and complained even more about me to his dad and seemed to make it his mission to get us to break up. Well he finally succeeded, I can't blame him for it totally, I blame ex FDH for not having the balls to be a parent.

Anyway, we are supposed to meet tomorrow so that he can give me the money that I put into his house to have a bedroom and bathroom built (although he is fighting me it and about the amount) and so that I can give him the ring back. I really did not want this to be the outcome, but I want to be happy, I deserve to be happy, and unfortunately I was not happy anymore because of his son. I just wish things could have turned out differently, I wish that ex FDH love me enough to enforce his kids to be respectful, they didn't have to like me, but they could've just stopped the complaining and trying to force their dad to choose. I loved him and at one point I loved his kids, but over the past year or two, his son killed any love or caring that I had for him and his daughter succeeded in killing it in the last couple of months.

Comments

1day@atime's picture

So sorry to hear this, but it's better figuring this out before you're married and invest more. i dont know if love is enough for me and my husband . . .he also has no balls when it comes to parenting . . . well when it comes to parenting his 11 year old son. he somehow finds his balls when it comes to our 4 year old.

lost hope's picture

Thank you. Yes, you're right its better to figure it out now. We had been together for 5 1/2 years. It's sad that these men let their kids control their life and relationship. I have 2 kids myself, but I would never let them treat someone like dirt without them getting consequences. My kids know better. His kids on the other hand if he even attempted to correct them would threaten him that they would just go live at their moms full-time if he stuck up for me. So, he instead would yell at me, blame me and tell me to fix it with them. It really was a no win situation. Sad

briarmommy's picture

I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, but now you can move on with your child and know that you tried and did your very best. You did not fail in this relationship, your ex failed you and you have learned a lesson and can move on with the knowledge that you were able to do what was best for you and did not settle. Grief if you must and then move on with confidence that you did what was best.

lost hope's picture

Thanks. That is what I keep telling myself - I did my best and tried my hardest. I had to put myself and my daughter first and unfortunately, that meant letting him go. I know that I didn't fail, but after the stuff he said, I do feel like I failed, like it was my fault - that I could've done more and tried harder.

alwaysanxious's picture

Nope, you tried you did all you could. He has to deflect some of the blame on you for his own ego.
You did all that you were supposed to. Don't let his words change your truth.

alwaysanxious's picture

I"m so sorry. You may not feel it now, but I bet in a few months you are going to feel so good about your decision.

Do you have someone who can go with you for the exchange? I wouldn't want to go by myself.

briarmommy's picture

Ya I agree with alwaysanxious, you should take a friend.......someone on your side with you to the exchange. You need someone to lean on right now.

lost hope's picture

Thank you...... sorry it took me a few days to respond, I've stayed late at work trying to keep my mind occupied. We were supposed to meet last night, but he said he didn't have a chance to get to the bank and that we would meet Friday. And yes, I plan on taking a friend of mine to go with me, with all that has happened over the last couple of days and last night when we talked, I'm not worried about my safety, I'm more concerned with him screaming and yelling or just refusing to give me the $.

Shaman29's picture

Oh Lost Hope....I'm really sorry this happened. Especially his lashing out at you. You tried to do the right things with counseling and disengaging. Hopefully he will learn his kids cannot run his relationships or his life. Sad

Give yourself some time to get through the grieving process. Be kind to yourself. You may want to continue seeing the counselor, just to get you over this hump.

Please check in and let us know how tomorrow goes and how you're doing.

lost hope's picture

Thank you Shaman29. His sister called me and said that she suspected that he is in an extremely angry mood. He moved the meet to Friday, so we'll see how it goes.

EyesOfaStranger's picture

Awww Sad so sorry for the pain you are going through! But one lesson learned.... Don't ever date a man with kids again!!!!!

lost hope's picture

Thank you StepAside. He doesn't look at it in a realistic way. For whatever reason he seems to think his son will never leave.

stormabruin's picture

Lost Hope, you absolutely DO deserve to be happy. I'm so glad that you have the self-respect to do this for yourself, regardless of the price. Nothing is worth letting someone treat you otherwise.

5 1/2 years is a long time to spend with someone & having invested that time makes it very difficult to break things off, but it really is best to cut the loss & have the rest of forever to really feel good being you & doing for you. Smile

I agree with those who suggested you bring a friend for the exchange. When your done, go out for awhile. Have drinks, see a movie, go shopping, talk about what you're feeling. Feel good knowing that you did what was right for you.

(((Hugs))) to you.

lost hope's picture

Thank you. It is definitely difficult. It makes it harder when you really do still love someone but you know it's not good for you.