“After two decades, I realized she didn’t respect me.
I had suspicions she cheated on me when I was overseas in the military…
I decided I would rather be alone than be tied to someone who doesn’t love me.”
Note: Some submissions were pulled fromthisReddit thread.
“I’m no longer married, and in fact, I’m twice divorced.
The most challenging aspect of marriage for me was learning to share myself.
I couldn’t continue doing what I had always done or be who I had always been.
I had to realize that there is a time to be playful and a time to be serious.
I learned that collaboration is the key.
40, Georgia
2.
Her parents are the same way.
Before we got married, I figured it would get better once we did get married.
It’s amazing how important touch is to emotional well-being in a relationship.”
deliciousduck268
3.
“The brutal reality of moving forward as a co-parent with school-age kids after her infidelity.
Our children are thriving; we are excellent co-parents.
She’s now married to this jerk the home remodeler she hired when we were married.
My youngest still has to get through high school.
“I’m escaping the shadow of the past and finding my own path.”
56, Minnesota
4.
“The hardest part by far is in-laws.
I have been married twice, and both times my in-laws were insufferable.
She cheated on me and her second husband.
With my second wife, it was the father-in-law.”
“He told his daughter she was the smartest woman alive.
She was smart in some ways but dumb as a box of rocks with common sense.
61, USA
5.
She’d start crying every time I mentioned the budget.”
46, Colorado
6.
“Being lonelier in a relationship than when I was single.”
u/Financial-Chard-885
7.
“When two damaged people collide.
u/strungup
8.
“After two decades, I realized she didn’t respect me.
I decided I would rather be alone than be tied to someone who doesn’t love me.”
u/Forsaken-Put7794
9.
It was time to call it what it was: a good relationship that we had outgrown.”
“It was an extraordinarily had decision but ultimately the right one for both of us.”
u/tundro
10.
“The lack of accountability, respect, and admiration.
All of which pointed to a lack of self and self love on her part.
you might’t fix someone you might only support them on their journey.
I didn’t want to die trying to save her from drowning.”
u/Jwarnold1
11. u/cwtcap
12.
“My money was our money, and her money was her money.
u/Commonmn
13.
“Not that it helps now, but people really change a lot when they’re younger.
I always heard, ‘Don’t get married before 25.’
I did at 21, and by 25, I realized how much we had BOTH changed.
By 28, we were done.
Don’t let problems marinate for long periods.
“Don’t take a marriage for granted.
), and they make these major decisions during periods where the marriage is rocky.”
u/LastPhoenixFeather
14. u/Additional_Simple261
And finally…
15.
“I’m just going to outright say it.
Marriage is worth it; it just didn’t work out with her.
We should have ended it earlier than we did.”
We have great everything, but it’s early days yet.”
Anonymous
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
