Last month I was invited to go on a trip overseas and was hesitant about asking my wife. Once I did, she immediately said yes and told me to have a good time on the trip. She recently chose a career in the military and is away from home now.
While I was in Europe, I had three affairs and, at the time, enjoyed them. But Abby, this is not the man I am! I always maintained that I’d never, ever do something like that, and I’m still in shock that I did. My excuse at the time was that I was used to having a woman around me, and that I was compensating for my wife’s absence. While that’s no excuse, I have been dealing with my guilt by shedding tears because I love my wife so much.
Should I tell her what I did? I know it will never happen again, and I don’t want her to resent me. Some people have told me not to say anything, while others say I should. What should I do?
— HURTING HUSBAND
DEAR HURTING HUSBAND: I don’t know how many people you have confided in about this besides me, but the larger the number, the greater the chances are of word getting back to your wife about what happened in Europe.
Because what happens in Europe DOESN’T always stay in Europe, unlike Las Vegas, the first thing you should do is be tested for STDs to guarantee you didn’t bring an unwanted “souvenir” home with you. If you are clean, discuss this with your religious adviser, if you have one. Justify it however you may wish, but what you did in Europe was a moral failure.
Because of her military career, your wife may have to be absent for various periods of time. How would you feel if the situation was reversed and SHE had numerous affairs while she was gone? It may be time for both of you to recommit to each other if your marriage is to survive. And the place to start is to be honest with each other, but not while your wife is deployed.
DEAR ABBY: My husband’s 45-year-old sister-in-law recently got a boob job. She’s a professional woman who used to be very conservative. Now she comes to family dinners wearing clingy low-cut shirts that leave little to the imagination. (Once she almost fell into the paella.)
My husband, teenage sons and I are uncomfortable. Does she want us to comment on them? She clearly wants them noticed, based on her attire. I’d ask her to cover up, but is that appropriate? She is very easily offended. If I do, it will likely be our last conversation.
— EMBARRASSED IN MONTANA
DEAR EMBARRASSED: While it would be nice if you could talk to your sister-in-law about this, because you can’t, I’ll offer another solution: When she’s coming for dinner, crank the thermostat WAY DOWN. And if she indicates that she’s chilly, offer her a sweater. Problem solved.
Write Dear Abby at DearAbby.com.
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