Thursday, March 05, 2009

Dating for Two Years, She Doesn't Know if She Should Marry Him

Hi Terry,

I would like to talk to someone about my relationship with my boyfriend of two years.

I need to decide if I should marry him or break up. He had some issues, and he admitted his faults to me last week and promised to listen more to me, speak more from the heart instead of meanly, and a couple more things. I have been intimate with him. I was going to wait, but at 39 I guess I got tired of waiting and thought that he was going to be the one. We are bonded because of the intimacy and the time that has been invested.

However, this man has been stolen from by 6 different people, beaten up when younger, sick with Lyme disease and high mercury poisoning. He and I have different poltical beliefs. He says he just doesn't have the energy to care. I understand he is in survival mode because they almost foreclosed on his house. We also have different religous views, but mine have been changing lately.

Should I break up with him and wait for my ideal mate? He is telling me that he loves me and really wants to marry me and have children. I am not sure what to do. He says he never felt such a great chemistry with any woman before. I need someone who has wisdom and cares about me to hear me listen and give me their thoughts on this. What I should do?

-Not Sure


Dear Not Sure-

Okay, you know I can't make this decision for you, but to help you make it, I will highlight a couple of things that popped out for me from your letter:

- he promises to listen to you more and to stop talking meanly
- promises to listen to you more
- he "doesn't have the energy to care," is in survival mode
- you have different political and religious beliefs
- his financial situation is shaky.

So those are the negatives. These, I'm think, are what you believe are good reasons to stay in this relationship:

- You're over 39
- You had sex with the guy.

Neither of which is a big deal. Just because you had sex with the guy doesn't mean you have to marry him. Sure, I understand this marked a big step for you, but it doesn't mean you have to bond yourself for life to a man you are clearly not sure about. His financial situation may be a concern, as well. If you have the children he wants, will he be able to support them, or will you be lying awake at night wondering how you're going to pay the mortgage?

As for your age, remember this: Only the lucky get older. You may live another 60 years, and wouldn't you be better off single and captain of your own ship than married to a guy who doesn't make you happy?

(Oh, and here's a question: What would make you happy? A man who speaks to you with love and respect? A healthy man who meets life's challenges to the best of his ability? A man who makes you laugh?)

I recommend that you take your time with this man. You don't have to decide whether or not to marry him this afternoon. See if he keeps his promises to listen to you and stop talking meanly (tip: people's behavior generally doesn't improve after they marry; it gets worse). See if he moves beyond survival mode. See what steps he takes to change his financial situation.

After all, this is your life we're talking about.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

WEll I dunno, I can as usual only say what I would do. I would move on to greener pastures.

Actually I've been with the most amazing man for years now and am still take delight at how many wonderful men there are out there. If he decided he needed to divorce himself from me I know I would be sad for a bit but would soon be enjoying my single life again.

Still now everyday men smile at me when I walk through town, I smile back. My man says he loves it that I'm such a confident person. Infact he says I'm the first woman he wanted after he had been divorced for 10 years because I was the first one that never whined, complained or gossiped. Plus the fact that I was just so alive and independant made him nuts about me.

Sure inside of my heart I wanted a man but was not going to settle for any man just for the sake of a relationship.

There are wonderful men out there, so be available for those that are worthy!

Anonymous said...

Terry,
That was a tough question and as I have seen, time and time again - you provided excellent advice. Pointing out her issues versus her reasons for staying probably helped her tremendously. Sometimes we just need a sounding board to get clear and you are one of the very best for this type of situation!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I have to chime in here!

I too had a relationship with a man for two years ... For me, it was all about the 3 As ... acceptance, accommodation, and allowance (on my part.)

One of my favorite roles in relationships, besides "martyr," used to be "Nurse Nightingale." Bring me your weary, dispondent, chronic, confused, huddled masses of men ...

Thankfully I was released from this relationship. (I'm making a very long, 2-year story, short.)

From here I pursued a degree in L-O-V-E and got my degree when I married a man who is perfect for me and wrapped around my finger in the best of ways.

Terry was one of my awesome coaches (and still is.) Her input is spot on and kind. I appreciate that.

For anyone else in Happy Girl Musing Land who is being "nice" and staying stuck, please listen into an interview I did with the authors of a book called "Anxious to Please."
You can hear a snippet of it here: http://www.getreadyforlove.com/nicegirls
You get the entire interview when you register for the Get Ready For Love NEWS.

Finally, to "Not Sure" I respect you and your choice - whether to stay or to leave. I encourage you to be true to yourself. You know what to do.

Terry said...

Claudia, Viveca, and Ronnie- I appreciate your perspectives on this one. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

it might bit an off topic but here a more insight about the fakeness of men.

Anonymous said...

I forgot the link, here it is:
http://theuncommonsenseplanet.blogspot.com/

free shipping for orders over $100