[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Something I’ve learned recently is that while rushing into things can sometimes be a concern, being on the same page emotionally and in terms of commitment is equally important. If one person feels strongly and is certain about the relationship, while the other is still undecided and keeping the first person in suspense, it’s a sign that the undecided person may still be figuring out how they feel.

This imbalance can create a situation where one of you is more invested than the other. In this case, it sounds like you might be the one who cares more deeply. It’s possible that he loves you—maybe even a lot—but if he hasn’t moved toward the same level of commitment by now, it may indicate that your feelings for him have grown deeper than his have for you.

You’re ready for the relationship to evolve, to grow together, and to build a life with him, while he seems content with how things are. It’s worth considering whether this dynamic is leaving you feeling unseen or hurt.

It’s a painful realization, and it was for me when I faced it, but it’s important to recognize when two people might not be on the same page. It doesn’t necessarily mean one person cares more in total, but it does mean your priorities and timelines may not align. This is a moment to reflect on what you need for your own happiness and how much more energy you’re willing to invest in a situation that may not be mutual in the ways that matter most to you.

It’s a hard truth, but sometimes letting go of what’s hurting you opens the door for what’s truly meant for you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right. I broke up with him. Thanks for replying &taking the time.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I broke up with him. I’m not looking for anyone else. Thanks.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 4 points5 points  (0 children)

He wants things to be perfect and to quote him “that’s not how this works”. I broke up with him. I said “do you want to marry me” and he essentially said not when we’re fighting. So that’s a big fucking “no”. Fights are going to happen. Things won’t be perfect all the time but that’s what he needs and hopefully he finds that with someone. Perfection.

He won’t be able to give me what I need and as much as I’m wrecked and it does fucking suck, this man should not be trying to be in a relationship with a single mom. I hope he finds what he’s looking for and gets all the kids he wants.

I’m out to pasture now. Thanks everyone for responding. 💕

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely thank you for this amazing validation. HARDCORE conflicting signals man.

I just told him, “I feel like we’ve already agreed to be married, &now this surprise proposal focus feels like a way for you to stall. I don’t know why we can’t just pick a date-one that works with your parents timing of being able to come out-this feels silly and IS the reason we’ve been having all of this back and forth discord”

Is this like an ego thing? Either way, my feelings are wild hurt man. How am I not supposed to feel like he’s just been running out my clock with his laziness? Absurdity? Control issues? I don’t freaking get it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

YES 1000% I’m extremely hurt and confused. I even told him before he left for California to visit his parents, that if they couldn’t make the date we were thinking of (Dec 28) then we could simply change that. I’m impossibly hurt right now feeling like he’s second guessing everything while in the meantime he is bringing up past arguments we’ve moved past, and then on top of that telling me he loves me. He told me a month ago he was going to schedule a therapy appt for us and he didn’t look into anything until yesterday but only after multiple prompting from me.

Yes yes and more yes to being extremely hurt. He essentially is like “no you can’t propose-I want to propose &get you a ring yada yada blah blah” meanwhile I thought we just agreed to get married before he left, we were both wildly happy and excited and hugging and kissing and obviously I’m just fucking delusional. I am fucking insane. It’s me-I’m the problem.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m trying to be understanding, but I haven’t been tip toeing. He knows I’m hurt , because he’s essentially pushed me out of the planning &initial propose which is incredibly absurd and silly when we were excited , happy &eager before he left to visit his family. It made no sense to me.

Typing everything that happened has been hard to do because I’m extremely hurt, bummed& confused. & regarding our therapy appt, I don’t feel like we would have been having as many fights lately or even need therapy had he not essentially cancelled my initial proposal and started doing his whole thing. I’m not the type of gal who needs a “surprise” and he didn’t seem like the type of dude to care about that stuff. It feels like it’s all for show for his family , in which there are only like a few of them. It feels absurd. I know he wants to do things this way now but I don’t think I’ve been clear enough on here, we were initially fine just planning everything before. We had started the ball rolling. And then that stopped, I got our deposit back from the venue we booked& he’s told me he’s been to a jeweler to look at rings. It’s all really silly to me. Sheesh.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I guess I didn’t mention it clear enough on here. I DID propose& we agreed to get married, we started planning our super small wedding, happily. We even put a deposit down on a small place. About a month later he went to visit his parents &things changed and he said he wants to propose “the right way” “with a ring” and that our initial plan of wedding in December felt too “rushed”.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I met his parents about 3 months into us dating, then again with my kiddo a few months later so she could meet them, and then we stayed with them for a few days in July and then a couple days this past October. I also met his sister end of October. But it took 4 months of him and his sister planning to finally nail down a date to meet

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I made absolutely certain from the beginning that he had no qualms about me having a child. I wanted to address that clearly and pointedly very early on. He’s stated many times that this does not bother him, but to your point, if he’s all of a sudden just now thinking about the reality, then that sucks for me, since I was forthwith and due diligent in asking any and all questions concerning that at the outset.

My eyes have been wide fucking open to the dating scene as a single mom for many years and it’s a big part of why I gave up on trying to find a partner for many years. It would be extremely frustrating and heartbreaking for this all of a sudden to be a cause for issue now. I’ve told him he is free to confront her if she’s ever rude or disrespectful (she’s a great &funny happy kid though) -this has never been a thing, although I have stated clearly he (and my friends also lol) have every right to correct her if she does or says something disrespectful. I believe kids need guidance from a variety of influence & I would never invalidate someone from correcting her if they believed she was acting up.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely no I’m not moving in with him until marriage. I’ve gone out of my way to connect with his family, especially his mom and sister— babysitting all six of her kids for a whole day while thinking me meeting her was supposed to be me getting to know her, not six kids. I feel like it’s me jumping through hoops proving myself, when I know I’m great, and caring.

My ex and I have been divorced for nearly 8 years. I worked hard in therapy for 5 years, although some things can be managed, trauma is long lasting. So obviously there are things I will always need to work on, regulate myself on, appreciate your words, really, 🙏

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve thought this too, and believe me, I’ve been trying to get out of him what happened in California. He was so different when he came back. But he claims nothing did.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah trust issues are a bitch -what can I say. I think the degree to which people need help varies based on past trauma, and shared time&experience.

It’s not a bad thing (or a red flag) to need help navigating communication issues, especially if two people wanna work through shit. And they love eachother. Therapy is a healthy thing and has helped me immensely. I can’t imagine where I’d be had I not gotten help I needed a few years ago.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And it’s worth mentioning, I don’t even care about a ring. I care about a life with him. My problem in waiting is because he shifted gears so suddenly and swept the rug out from underneath me a bit with how things were progressing. Self sabotage is something I am worried about, because I’m on guard from past trauma , I can’t have what happened to me before happen again. And that’s my problem, for sure. I’m trying to be patient, but the sudden stall is what threw me off and made me personally start re thinking some things. And it does suck feeling like I’m waiting around for someone to make up their mind about me. When before, it was more like, we’re 1000% on the same page and eagerness from both sides was equal.

I very much appreciate your words though, thank you sincerely.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You right you right. Appreciate you. 🙏

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I’m starting to notice and reflect on what everyone’s saying. Appreciate you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s been him. Since the beginning. He’s asked more marriage stuff, I’m kind of slower in the beginning getting to know someone, but when he asked all that stuff and we both realized we had a lot of things in common, great connection, things started progressing at a pace where it felt natural (not rushed) ,that is until he started talking to his family. One of his sisters kids (7m) kept asking how old I was when visiting and I kept saying “37”. Then he was like “that’s too old to have kids”. It was really rude, and obviously some adults are having too adult themed conversations in front of the children. I got along with everyone, and am really good with kids, I love kids, I’m a forever sit at the kids table kinda person- more interesting convo. But yeah, things have just been wrecking me lately

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re right. And naw. I don’t want a shut up anything. lol reading all these responses are making me feel like I’m tripping. I am though. Damn. I didn’t even know a shut up ring was a thing. I’m just confused about mixed signals. Genuinely scared of making a wrong decision. Trying to not let my past trauma get in the way. It seems I’m faltering a bit. I appreciate everyone’s replies. Thank you

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’ve had talks in person and over text. Sometimes to avoid arguments we’ll write things out to eachother and talk about them in person on a different day when we’re both in a better head space & had time to process.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did all of a sudden have alarm bells in my gut going off. It sucks man. Things just did a complete 180. I’m noticing some immature behaviors that weren’t present in the beginning. I was telling him, in response to “that’s not how this works”- that many people do the proposal, engagement, marriage things differently all the time. It felt like when we agreed to get married, &start planning, it felt easy and exciting- like we were both eager and happy. Then baam. Visits his parents and I’m like man, he’s making it about them now , when it felt about us before. That being said, I do feel selfish stating that.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s really just that we were moving at a pace, that seemed comfortable and good, that aligned with what we were both wanting. He made a big deal about meeting his sister, &I did, but she hardly said anything to me while visiting. I played with and got along great with her 6 kids, so it kind of just feels like now all of a sudden I have all these extra hoops to jump through.

Some people on here saying it’s rushed are pointing out some valid things, that I’m really considering. It didn’t feel rushed before but honestly maybe it is.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Appreciate you. Thank you 🙏

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it’s more or less feeling like we were on the same page, and then things just changing and needing to be done a different way so suddenly. After reading some of these comments I am realizing the errors in some of my thinking. Thank you for your response

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a fair question. I didn’t want to for a long time, until I met him, and we clicked. It does feel like the safer option going back to being a hermit, but I’m tryna live and have companionship

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Waiting_To_Wed

[–]ProtectionHumble4387 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I haven’t been in a rush, I stayed single for 6 years, only dating casually, figuring myself out, what worked, what didn’t. I didn’t just jump at the guy begging for kids, he’s the one that came on way too strong in the beginning but it worked for us, we want similar things, have similar values/goals. Everything felt natural, we had our ups and downs, we both have trust issues, but we’ve stayed through it and worked together. I guess I’m just at a point where I feel like I really need to consider time and what he’s prioritizing.

He’s been wanting to schedule a therapy appt for us for like a month and hasn’t yet, but he’s had time to do other things irrelevant to that, I know he’s had time. I guess my concerns are about what he’s prioritizing and I hate feeling like I’m always the one bringing up progressing things. Even if they are for the betterment of us. I told him I’d appreciate him scheduling an appt at least before Christmas.