Relationship Ended, And Struggling to See Why... Posted: 12-01-07 08:27am
Hello.
First and foremost, my partner and I just
ended a 4-month relationship together, on
mutual grounds. Let me say that there was
an age gap between us (he is 59, I am 30).
He has had failing health, due to his
condition (Diabetes and heart trouble),
and due to this, alot of our romance has
died. We were both very solid in the 4
months we spent together, and we are still
good friends to this day.
He is also struggling with facing
retirement from his job. Because of this,
his future has a definite uncertainty,
financially especially. This I feel I can
believe him on, but there are other things
that make me question about what he is
being real about. I have been up front and
honest with alot of things I went through
in life, as he has as well, and to me,
talking about these things togther has
helped us cope with the past and move on
with the future. However, there are things
that I have seen recently which made me
think otherwise.
He has told me that due to some breakout
on his penis, he would want to spread that
to me and that I should not share his bed.
Knowing that diabetics have to be careful
with sores and whatnot, I accepted this. I
also accepted the fact that he has a
certain anxiety with everything going on,
and having me in the same bed when I spend
the night only made things worse. This I
accepted, and backed off... and I am still
coping with the strong feelings that I
have for him.
Recently, I saw that he posted a profile
on a site that we both frequent, and that
we met each other on. Due to a move that
is about to take place for myself, which
is closer to him, I was looking in the
area to see about possibly dating guys in
the area. I came across his profile. Now,
with this site, there is a potential risk
that one should not take if they are
choosing to not be intimate with anyone, I
did ask him about it. It turned into a
full day of him being defensive, and
saying that we probably should not be
friends, and that it is his right to look
for new friends, that he is not being
sexual with anyone, etc.. I apologized,
perhaps I approached the situation the
wrong way. We are still friends, however,
I noticed a change in him. He has bottled
himself up more, and when online, he
seems... dodgy. This was even before I
questioned him about the profile.
Now, one thing I did not intend on doing
was being his father in all of this, and
not questioning what he is doing. He says
that he wants to try and meet new people
as friends that are retired and learning
how they cope and everything. When I read
into the profile, he lists that he is
"attractive", and his physical stats...
why would someone that wants to be friends
with others list their stats, and also,
his age is set 25-85. This to me doesn't
sound right.
Perhaps I am over-thinking things too
much. But at the same time, I care for him
quite a bit, and do not want to see him
get hurt. He has told me of past meetings
with other men that went sour, and that is
something he does not need at this time in
my opinion. I also found a profile on a
sister site to this one site where I
originally found his profile, and that has
him listed as wanting a date/relationship,
on top of friends. And seems more
dating-oriented, and to me, definitely not
the place to try and look for friends.
I guess in a way I am not sure what to
believe. This makes me think that there
was something that I somehow did that
brought our relationship to this. I am
currently not looking to date other guys,
due to some personal changes in my life
(move, school, etc.), but if the man I
used to love is telling me one thing, then
I inadvertently find out that he is doing
another thing, it makes me wonder what I
did wrong. He always said for me to be
real with him - I could only expect the
same from someone that I have a
relationship with.
Throughout the whole four months that we
were involved, I never once questioned
him, and was up front and honest, on top
of real, with him. There was no
questioning, actually, we did our thing.
But now I see a definite change... and it
bothers me to know that one story is told,
but it may not be the real story.
I don't like having my feelings played
like this. I did truly love him, and would
do anything for him. But the moment I am
lied to, and hurt, I honestly begin to
think otherwise.
Just wanted to hear some thoughts on what
I just wrote. I am just not sure what to
think anymore.
EDIT for left out information
--------------------------------
When we were transitioning from the
intimate relationship to a friendship, it
was very emotional for both of us. We both
felt very defeated in the fact that we
have to step back from the relationship,
and he wants me to find someone new. When
I see him be very emotional about us
breaking up, and the fact that he can not
be sexual with anyone, this I can believe,
as he struggles day-to-day with health
issues. This is the major point as to why
he chose to retire now.
I guess in a way, I hope he is doing the
right thing for himself. However, I just
know there are other mediums to try and
relate to others that are struggling with
what he is going through, and on a site
that is primarily for dating and sexual
encounters, I don't feel is the right
medium.
|
marvel
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Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1104 Location: Toronto, Ontario (but only a private message away)
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Posted: 12-01-07 14:54pm
It seems to me that you haven't completely
let go of him. Finding his profiles online
and constantly worrying about him and how
he's doing is a waste of your time and
energy, to be frank. I understand you
loved him intensely, and probably still
do, but you're prolonging your pain by
trying to figure out his life right now.
It's time to move on, I think. You seem to
be wasting unnecessary energy that you can
be focusing on future love, school and
moving.
|
JYoungBear
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 158 Location: , MA
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Posted: 12-01-07 18:53pm
marvel
wrote:
It seems to me that you
haven't completely let go of him. Finding
his profiles online and constantly
worrying about him and how he's doing is a
waste of your time and energy, to be
frank. I understand you loved him
intensely, and probably still do, but
you're prolonging your pain by trying to
figure out his life right now.
It's time to move on, I think. You seem to
be wasting unnecessary energy that you can
be focusing on future love, school and
moving.
Yeah, I took a bit of time to think about
that, and thinking more. He has told me
that the next person I find better treat
me right, or that man will face the wrath
(joking of course).
I think it was the initial shock, and just
me overanalyzing. Personally, I have not
put my profile back online just yet,
however, I am actually thinking of
following the same route and trying to
find friends, potentially someone new to
share my life with. I know it will make
my friend happy. And to be hoenst, I do
want to see him happy as well
I do need to let go. To counteract me
missing him, I try to focus more on
school, findin a job, and doing some light
searching on the site where we found each
other. I have found a couple guys I want
to message, but at the same time, I need
to know if the timing is right.
But then again, who knows...
|
JYoungBear
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 158 Location: , MA
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An Update... Posted: 12-02-07 18:59pm
My friend/former partner and I talked
today, and it was good. He still does
feel bummed about how we had to step back
and remain friends as opposed to the
relationship that we wanted, but on the
same vein, we handled it much better.
And the funny thing is, we started talking
about the site we met on, and I confided
in him to two guys that I am thinking
about asking out ...
he actually knows one of the two guys I
mentioned, and he is urging me to ask him
out. What a friend!
But it is good. We had an awesome day,
went to lunch, he bought a printer for his
computer which I set up for him, did a
couple things for him at the apartment.
We can't wait until I move closer to where
he is for school, and I know that things
will fall into place in due time with
everything going on.
|
marvel
Supporter
Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1104 Location: Toronto, Ontario (but only a private message away)
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Posted: 12-04-07 15:37pm
Good to hear things are going well!!! Just
make sure to keep a reasonable distance
from him, as you don't want old feelings
to flood back. That really sucks!
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JYoungBear
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 158 Location: , MA
Thanks: 41
Thanked:16
Posted: 12-04-07 23:34pm
marvel
wrote:
Good to hear things are
going well!!! Just make sure to keep a
reasonable distance from him, as you don't
want old feelings to flood back. That
really sucks!
Yeah, that does suck. We are also
discussing the boundaries not to be talked
about when it comes to me and someone
else. I am actually talking to another
man right now, we are trying to find time
to get together soon. My friend is cool
with that, just doesn't want too many
details.
I'm not one to blab about bedroom-related
things, or happenings between myself and
whomever I am dating to other people. I
am going to take that situation very
carefully, as I know he would want me to.
|
marvel
Supporter
Joined: 09 Sep 2007 Posts: 1104 Location: Toronto, Ontario (but only a private message away)