Someone loves you ever so much but......

India
July 28, 2010 2:49am CST
I have a friend to whome I have always been close, like childhood friend. He is married and so am I. We both meet regularly as he is a family friend. I know he loves me a lot, has always loved me, but somehow I cant feel the same way for him except the affection for a childhood friend. I am very attached to my family and would not do anything to harm it. But I dont have it in my heart to hurt that friend too. He is a true friend and is always there when I need him, more so in times of difficulties. He is a warm, selfless fellow and it hurts me to know he is unhappy but .... Have you ever experienced such a situation and how do you handle it.
1 person likes this
21 responses
@voldrox (7191)
• India
29 Jul 10
Hi ketybhagat, You both are married and are childhood families that is fine but, does your husband know you meet this guy regularly? You never felt anything weird about this since you are already married ? Probably you don't coz you don't have feelings for him but your subconscious mind could be playing games with you. That guy is meeting up with you and you know he loves you, i would say you stop seeing him like this. He is not happy with his wife maybe, but that does not mean he should come up and meet you. Though it doesn't seem this way but, he is cheating someone.
• India
3 Aug 10
Hi voldrox, first and foremost thanks for your reply. I do not see him alone on the sly. He is a regular at home, being a childhood friend and if I do ever go out for lunch with him which is rare, I tell my husband and go. I know he trusts me and I turst this friend. He is a gentle soul and will never take advantage of me. I dont know if it is cheating on his wife, for we dont do anything stupid. I am his friend and he tells me his problems. We try and find a solution to it, thats it. His wife is an awful bully and I dont think they have had any form of married life for years.
1 person likes this
@voldrox (7191)
• India
3 Aug 10
Well seems like his wife really troubles him so much. He has at least got someone to talk it over with.
3 Aug 10
I think when you decide to marry with somebody, not with your childhood friend, you must feel that your husband is better than your friend. You must share your happiness, your problems, your difficulties with your husband not with anyone else. You will hurt your beloved persons, your husband and your friend, if you can't forget your friend. You must change your attitude, just avoid your friend, don't think and don't wish he will always love you, he has had a family. he must love his wife and his children. Or maybe you just think that you love your friend, oh no... it has been late. From now, just think that you will make your family happy, your husband, your children. they love you too, nobody will love you as like your family.
• India
4 Aug 10
Hi handayani, I definitely decided to marry another man because I loved him as a husband and not as a friend. Yes, my childhood friend is there for me always, as a solid rock in times of good and bad. He comes home often and meets my family. He is a kind man who will not take advantage of my friendship. Sometimes you get married to the wrong person and your life becomes hell. Its just that he feels so much more comfortable talking to us. True friends are like rare gems, to be cherished for ever. I will defiitely not do anything to hurt my family. Thanks.
@eurekafemme (5877)
• Philippines
29 Jul 10
Why is he unhappy? What made you say that? Anyways, bot of you have your own life now, married.When you two were singles you did not have the heart to love him the way he loved you so there's no need for you to feel sorry about it now. It is time to move on and let your friend find peace, too. Why would you still be hurting him,by the way? If you are thinking what I am thinking..... PLEASE DO NOT DO IT. Just focus on your husband and kids. You can't do anything about his happiness and perhaps it has nothing to do with you. If he needs your friendship, be there for him but only as friend. I was, when was in college. What I did? I let go of the friendship. It was a good decision not for myself but for him. Then, I moved on with my life.Now, he is happy with his family after 16 years of not finding me.:-)
• India
3 Aug 10
Hiya friend, I have a wonderful family life and I will not spoil it under any circumstances. We grew up together and I always loved him as a freind and therefore married another guy. Yes, he is a gentle soul and has stood by my families side in good and bad times. He is a family friend too. He married a lady with whome he thought he would be happy, but she turned out to be a ****. I am his listening ear and give advice when necesary, but beyond that nothing. I can let go of the friendship as you say, but then true friends are like rare gems. He will never take advantagae of me, so I can always be sure of that. Thanks and Im glad your friend is now happy and so are you.
28 Jul 10
Wow that's a tough one. Hope things go ok, you'll just have to give it time. There has been a time when I have been in HIS position. My friend was always there for me even though she knew how I felt about her. She said she would always be my friend but anything further would not be possible. She was the greatest friend ever and helped me get through it by minimising the time she spent with me, I knew it would take time for me to get over those feelings but I stuck through it in pain and eventually I got over it, we met again after 2 years and now we are the best friends ever. She knew it would hurt me to cut contact but she knew I'd be happy again eventually. She wanted me to be happy, that's why she stopped seeing me and I can see that now even though at the time I thought she hated and rejected me.
• India
3 Aug 10
Hey parrot, this is very similar to my case. The question of leaving him does not arise, as he is a family friend and my whole family knows him. He is the kind of guy who will not take advantage of anybody, leave alone me. Yes, there are times when we have to be strict in order to be kind, and that is exactly what your friend has done wisely. Many a times we do not understand the ways of God, but in the end it is always better for us. Im glad you are still friends and will always be. Thanks.
@maduoc (1)
• Thailand
29 Jul 10
i think if he doesn't have anything to show love to you , then you should also silent . And try to do things to show love between you and him : no love, just make friend and no go too far anymore :)
• India
4 Aug 10
Yes maduoc, we are friends and will always be. There is nothing in my mind exceptlove for a friend and know that I love my family dearly. He is a real friend and God bless him always for being there in times of good and bad. Thanks.
1 person likes this
• Vietnam
30 Jul 10
i have a friend who loves me so much, and i love him, but we live so far ...
• India
4 Aug 10
Oh, then this love is mutual and Im glad for you. Yes, distance is very depressing when you love each other. I do hope your love can withstand this distance in the long run. Good luck.
@attente (986)
• Philippines
28 Jul 10
that must be very hard for you to handle such situation. There's this guy, courting me for a year.. I am busy with my work and so he is. We are two hours away from each other so we don't see that much.. But he never fails to send me something every week like butterscotch that he baked.. my friends really like him because they think that he loves me so much.. I don't know why I can't love him, but I do appreciate him. be blessed! :)
• India
2 Aug 10
I know how you feel, no matter how good the guy is and how ever much he loves us, you just cant respond to him in the way he wants you to. Its sad, but then thats life. He sends you something over the weekend, thats very thoughtful of him, just reminding you of his presence, hehe. Well good luck and God bless. Thanks.
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
28 Jul 10
Hi kety, you don't want to do anything which will harm your family. That is fine. But you friend has touched your heart. I think you can't deny it. In your subconscious mind you have deep feelings about him. This is natural. Man and woman are opposite gender and God(nature) has given extra attraction to each other. We all are under the rule of nature. Yes I have a friend like you. I handle her as you handle him.
• India
2 Aug 10
Yes, opposites attract, but then I have a girl friend also who is equally close to me. I can relate to both of them. This friend of mine is a dear and very very humble. If you have a friend, then Im sure you will understand my position. However, I love my family too much to take any stupid chances. Thanks pal, and all the best with your friend too.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
28 Jul 10
Hi kety my county cousin, You know the Oedipus complex? That your male friend of your childhood friend is so close to you and the reason is that he belongs to a different gender. You might not have any special feeling for him but he does have in the inner self for you. And therefore some time you feel k;like that. Nothing to worry until he does some mischiefs.
• India
2 Aug 10
Hiya krajibg, what you say makes total sense, but then to me he will always be a good friend and to tell the truth, he is selfless. He does not p ush himself and is always there for me in times of good and bad. He is a rare gem, a ture friend. I just hope we will always be friends for ever more. Thanks so much for the reply. Yes, I have nothing to worry. I love my family tooooo much to take any chances.
@ANIME123 (2466)
• United States
28 Jul 10
Wow you sure are going through a lot right now in this situation and all. Looks like he really loves you a lot and would leave his wife for you really sad that he is unhappy, but he shouldn't have got married if he knew he was not going to be happy. A childhood friend is a very strong bond that gets stronger after year and year and so on. I see you do not want to break that bond of just a childhood friend. I really don't have a solution for your problem here this one really is a toughie and it has me stumped. The only solution would probably be to talk things out as adults and be civil about it because I really don't see no other way, but if you do come up with one then very good. Still in situations like this one or the other always ends up getting hurt no matter how bad you don't want it. It's always bound to happen. Still I'm sure that he will understand one way or another. Or maybe I'm wrong I hope you get out of this tough situation that you are in.
• India
2 Aug 10
Hi anime, I know its an awful situation, but then I am not really worried. He is a gentle soul who will not do anything to hurt me. He will love in silence and keep being a good friend when I need him. He married this girl thinking he would be very happy with her, but she turned out to be a shrew. Well thats life. I am very happily married and have a wonderful family. I would not do anything to hurt them. We grew up together and as such the bond will always be there. Thank you and do send a silent prayer for him. Thanks.
@p3ks626 (6538)
• Philippines
28 Jul 10
I have never been to a situation like that but it sure is not healthy and you should not entertain it. Of course he is your friend and he also has a family now. You both have your own families and you both need to respect that. When you say that he loves you, that's good because he loves you as a friend. Just deal with it like you are not giving him any hopes or something like that.
• India
2 Aug 10
Hi P3, I will always be there for him as a freind and friend alone. No matter what. He is a kind, selfless friend and has never exerted any pressure on me. He just loves me and is content at that. I too love my family and will never do anything to hurt them. However, knowing I cant retun this love which is so selfless, I do feel miserable for him. But I am very firm minded in this and I will jut be his very best friend throughout life. Thanks.
• Philippines
28 Jul 10
Oh my, what a temptation. You should know where you stand being a good friend only. You must know your limitations. What you can do only is to give him some pieces of advice. A sincere prayer can help you stay away from trouble and be faithful to your husband.
• India
2 Aug 10
Hi, yes, I will always be there for him, but only as a real friend. It is an akward position to be in, but then I know how to handle him, for I do love my family very much. However, prayers for him are always welcome. He is so very unhappy in his life. Thanks.
• India
28 Jul 10
Yeah I have face same problems like you but I didn't take any action.
• India
2 Aug 10
Oh, did the problem solve by itself. Id be interested in knowing what happened and how you handled the same. Thanks.
• India
28 Jul 10
I have also gone through this kind of experience in my life.I got a friend with whom I am very close since my childhood.We are very much intimate to each other since from the time we are friends.We never had any discussions till now.We spent together in our school life till 12th standard.While doing degree 'we departed. Now he is married and he is a father of a baby boy.But the respect and the love that we have is still the same.I visit his place sometimes and they treat me very well..There didn't came any kind of selfishness or hurting till now.We are like a one kind of family member.
• India
30 Jul 10
Yes, Im glad you have this friendship still and is welcome both sides of the family. I too really respect him and am very fond of him. Its just too bad that his wife is a b***ch and does not understand his goodness. He has always been a true friend and I hope our respect and affection for eacah other continues. Real friends are like gems, you have to learn to protect them. Thanks.
• India
28 Jul 10
I am not in this particular situation because i am not married. But i can understand your pain. I also know how far this can go if that childhood friend of yours is very demanding. But since you have said he is warm and selfless i am assuming that he feels the same about you. So whatever feeling you are having is just due to your childhood experiences and memories. You have a loving family now and you must be able to pay more attention to them. You should probably spend more time with your family and then they would be a distraction to you. Since you said he is your friends he will understand you.
• India
29 Jul 10
He is a real friend and I would not want to lose someone who has been a pillar of strength throughout. Yes, he is a kind understanding guy and will never try and take advantage of me or my family. I have known him for donkeys years and though he has an unhappy marriage, he has never forced himself on me. I love my family very much and I would never do anything stupid. It just hurts to see him hurt. Thanks.
@rose005 (254)
• India
28 Jul 10
Don't be so stupid my friend if your husband comes to know than what he will think and even your friend's wife too. If you stay with your husband quietly than only your friend feels sad but if you goes with your friend than you are making two people feels sad. I can say only this much rest you decide. Alys take care.
• India
29 Jul 10
My friend, he is a family friend and my husband knows him for ages. I love my husband and son dearly and would never do anything to hurt them. I laugh it off . My friend is a real friend, which both my husband and I realsie. We will just be freinds always. He is a very decent guy and will not take advantage of our friendship. Its just too sad that he is unhappy. I am his sounding board and hence he feels comfortable with me. But dont worry, I have never reciprocated his feelings in any other way except friendship. Thanks.
@rjkmrr (172)
• India
28 Jul 10
I have a friend who loves and care me a lot. He is a batuaral but I am married and got a child. Even though I know he still love me I pretend not to be known. He tries to express his feelings,but I act innocent to him. More over he understand me that I had got a child.
• India
29 Jul 10
This guy is a true friend, and such friends are rare to find. Yes, though he loves me he has never tried to take advantage of me. I am is listening board and he tells me all. I love my family a lot and Id never do anything to spoil my relations with them for anyone in the world. Thanks.
• India
28 Jul 10
My stupid friend what made you to change your mind.Love the one who love you not the one whom do you love.Be satisfied what you have.You are my friend husband and even you are my childhood friend.My friend let not break our good relation.Think twice before you do something.
• India
29 Jul 10
captain, you misunderstand me. I just love him as a friend and I have a wonderful husband and son, with a solid marriage. I would not hurt them for anything. Yes, he is my childhood friend and as such loves me, but he is still a gentleman. He will never try and push his way or take undue advantage. He is a real friend and it hurts to see him hurt. I wish him all the best, but not at my expense. My love for him is as a friend only. Thanks.
• India
29 Jul 10
I don't have experience because it has not happen yet. But I really want to suggest you that Every one feel the same what you are feeling , no one would like to hurt friends, before looking them , you should know that you too have family. As being married you should concern to your family because they are attached to you. Your childhood friend is your past and now you are living in present. If they need any help and support there.. you should do that.
• India
28 Jul 10
Gosh! u might be having tough time in this kinda situation. Anyway i never had experienced such situation in my life. i only suggest that look into your marital life not in your childhood friend's happiness and unhappiness. By this if your hubby come to know he will be fore sure unhappy with you. Please take care
• India
29 Jul 10
Hi westbird, Belive me, I too feel confused. I know he loves me and tells me so, but I do not encourage him at all. I laugh it of and tell him, he should as Im his best friend. He has never tried to take advantage of me, and I know he is unhappy in his marriage as well as with his sons. He has no one to turn to but me. I am his listening ear and he pours out his soul to me, but then he is the most decent guy I know. Yes, I love my husband and son very much, so its a big no no from my side. And yes, I will be careful, for I dont want to lose eith of them.