Man’s Cheating Wife Makes ‘Special’ Request, Pleads To Keep Up Decade-Long Tradition By Spending Her Birthday Together

Can traditions still prevail while navigating infidelity?

Jesse

• Published in Interesting
• February 20, 2024

In relationships, sometimes the waters get choppy, and wading through them requires a sturdy moral compass and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. Such was the case for our narrator (Original Poster), who found himself confronted with a dilemma he had never seen coming.

It all began with an affair in November. For one full month, OP’s beloved wife was sneaking around with another man! 

However, this isn’t your typical ‘caught red-handed scenario. In fact, OP didn’t catch her at all—she confessed. She laid the raw, unfiltered truth bare for him to see—messages, receipts, everything.

It was clear from the texts that the guilt was eating her up from day one. Every mention of OP to “the other man” was also positive, and she had blocked him on everything now. However, that didn’t make it hurt any less.

The shock of betrayal cut deep, especially considering her reputation for upholding high moral standards—I guess you couldn’t really know someone. What trust and respect did OP have for her? Completely gone.

They were living separately at the moment, but she was regretful and eager to fix things, and OP also wasn’t too keen on divorce. As her birthday drew closer, she made a special request—she wanted them to spend the day together. 

They’d spent every birthday together for the past decade, but things weren’t quite the same. Did she even still have the right to make such demands?

OP didn’t know what to do at this point, so he decided to seek counsel from Netizens.

The story in detail

A few months ago, OP was left broken after his wife opened up to him that she had cheated

Although they are both living separately and OP is drafting up divorce papers, he’s more open to reconciliation

Her birthday is coming up and she has hinted that she would like them to spend the day together

OP needs advice on whether to accept this offer or just gift her and maintain their boundaries

“There is no ‘should’ in reconciliation after infidelity. Your healing is such a personal decision.”

“If celebrating her birthday is going to cause you pain, then don't.”

“Give her the gift but if you're not comfortable spending her birthday with her, say so.“

“You can’t trust her anymore. She literally broke the most important thing in your relationship.”

“Have you considered that the affair ended because it didn’t work out with the other guy.”

“It sounds like you’re still looking at her with the image of the person you thought she was, not the person she is.”

“Once a cheater, always a cheater. You take her back, you tell her she can get away with it.”

The truth is a bitter pill to swallow but Redditors laid it bare for OP. When it comes to reconciliation post-infidelity, there are no rigid guidelines.

Commenters advised OP to gift her but be careful about lifting their boundaries to avoid hurting himself in the process. Indeed, healing takes time, and OP needs to allow himself that grace. 

We’d love to get your thoughts on this story. Join the conversation in the comments.

Jesse