It hasn’t been an easy relationship, but ironically, we get along amazingly well. The Hawaii thing was a huge mistake and he has since apologized profusely. We’ve been seeing each other for nearly 7 months now. I honestly think his self-esteem was so low when we met that he “used” the Hawaii trip to hook me. My self-esteem was low as well, so I accepted!

We were madly infatuated the first few months. Now, we’re slowing down a bit to reality. He was hurt and violated to the core by a cheating wife — so I understand where his head is at and realize his occasional distance towards me has nothing to do with me.

I give him his space when he needs it and don’t freak out if a day or 2 goes without a call from him. I am very active and have a good set of friends. I remind myself when I need it that it isn’t about me. I do sometimes have doubts that I can sustain this. But then I’ll see him and enjoy his company so much that I realize he’s going through a healing process as she left him only a year ago. He is still in mourning. So I am patient.

Later, my guess was that he invited me to somehow get back at her or make her feel bad. It was the most horrible experience of my life and I felt trapped as I was unable to leave. I should NEVER have accepted it. I was dumb.