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July 20, 2017 at 11:35 am #159186NatashaParticipant
I feel lost.
I am Cindy, Carlos is my boyfriend. We have been together for a year and couple of months, I have a son, from a previous relationship his name is Noah, he is 2 years old now. Carlos came into our lives when Noah was 6 months old. Noah’s dad broke up with me twice during the pregnancy, the first one when I was 3 months pregnant and then 6 months. I felt like I was going to die, but I didn’t thank God, Noah is a healthy happy boy, and we made it, I try to be a good mother and human being for him.
How did I meet Carlos? Well, I met Carlos when I was probably 16 years old, now I am 28. Carlos is my cousin’s cousin, but we are not related at all, he came into my life when I was dating a crazy guy from another country and tried to convince me to break up with him, because supossedly he liked me, and I was his crush, but I never found out how much of that was a joke and how much was real, because Carlos is a joker and pretty flirtatious, he likes making jokes and laughing all the time, I didn’t break up with my boyfriend at that time, we end up telling each other horrible things, he got mad, we stopped talking for years, till 2015 Christmas he suddenly appeared at my grandmas house, know that on 2015 Carlos mom passed away from cancer and I felt so sorry for him, never went to the funeral, so I started talking to him, like nothing had happenned between us, and that night was different and kind of magical, we both felt a sparle for each other I think, adn even more with his background as he says until today that he “always liked me”
Anyways, important fact, Carlos was a party animal, surfer boy, ladiesman, the guy that was looking for fights at the clubs, drunk, player, etc for his whole life, so he had zero credibility in my family, or anyone actually. Carlos is not a handsome guy, he is more like the classroom clown, making everyone laugh and entertaining people, I liked Carlos as a friend, but I never saw him with different eyes, excuse for my honesty but I always thought he was a NOT good looking guy, and wonder how did he get any woman to be interested in him.
After that Christmas, Carlos dissapeared for a month or so, and came again into my life on February, we started texting, but he was always laughing and making jokes about us and everything that I got confused between the joke and the reality, until we went out for a meal, our “first date” supossedly, and the first words that came out of my mouth were, “are you serious with this?” and he said “yes”
This was the first time I saw Carlos serious, so I said to myself, “okay” here we go, cause somehow I liked what I was feeling.
Carlos started behaving as the perfect gentleman, he changed diapers, he took care of Noah, he was interested in learning how to feed him, carry him, put him to sleep, everything. He didnt have a car, he rented cars to take me where I wanted, rode a bus, walked for hours, begged me to meet him at the park near my house, because, of course, no one knew we were together, we were secretly talking to each other and dating, but he was the best, sometimes, he begged me to come out or go to the park, just for a kiss, or to look at me. He was inlove, I was inlove with him, he was the man that was rescuing me from the disgrace I had lived before and during the pregnancy, he gaved me back the illusion on love and men, cause I had lost it.
Things were perfect, we were officially a couple, he asked me to be his girlfriend, he was romantic, he gave me love and made love like nobody else had ever done it before to me.
We were good for a couple of months, but then we started sharing weekends together, that means he would pick us up on Fridays, and spent the weekend together until Sunday, I would go back to my aunt’s house where Noah and I live. We talked about marriage several times during those months Carlos was so inlove, me too, but dont get me wrong I have always dreamed of that perfect wedding, I am plannning to get married only once and I have aways wanted to plan it right, and not forget any detail. So I kind of make him think again and wait, till we could save some money and have our wedding and our place together, just to be safe and neeer have money problems.
Months went by, and what I feel happenned, maybe I am wrong or not, Carlos just got used to see me on weekends and that was enough, he didnt want to text during the day, he would get mad if I called him during his working hours, this probably happened when we had one year together, everything changed, he even told me we werent ging to see each other during the week, cause we already had the weekends, and that if I had anything to say to him during the day I could text him and he could read when he had time and answer back, if not, I had to wait.
And I have always accepted his terms, even now, we dont spend time together during the week, we only meet for the weekends, and sometimes I feel like he picks us up on Fridays because he has to, not because he wants to, he doesnt show himself excited to see us, he doesnt change a single diaper anymore, since a long ago, one day he just told me he wasnt going to do it anymore, and Noah is my son, so I could never make him do anything for him because is not his responsability.
I spent all the time I have with Noah, his dad, visits him on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and takes him with him on Saturdays, every 15 days, only for a couple of hours.
Carlos says he loves me, and Noah, that he loves us, he says his plans havent changed at all, that were still getting married and having a family and that I am the only woman he sees himself with in the future, but whenever I talk to him about marriage, he says not yet, maybe next year, he rather spent time with his friends, go to the gym or sleep than to be with us.
We have argued about this several times, I have told him that I feel everything has changed, that hedoesnt love me anymore, not like he used to at least, he stopped telling me if I looked beautiful, we only held hands whenever I held his, and the same with kissing, sex was the same, but I guess he is a really sexual person, I dont know, anyways , at the end of the day I would tell him how I feel and tried to find answers with him, and the only thing that came out of his mouth is “break up with me if you are so unhappy, I am fine, our relationship is fine.”
There are days when I feel like I am too demanding, or that I am just too intense or fierce, cause if I could I would spent every single minute of my life with him, I love him, and when I am not with him I feel sad and empty, I feel that I need him,he makes me feel secure, and he gives me the same feeling with Noah, in order to raise himand ake care of him, like whn he is around everything works better.
I dont really have anyone in my life besides Noah, I dont talk to my Mom, sometimes I talk to Dad, but he has a family of his own. I only have my grandparents, they are the ones who have helped me with Noah, and have taken care of me, I live in a room at my aunts house with Noah in front of my grandparents house.
I cant say that i hate my life, but I dont like it either, not having family and almost no one to give my love to besides my son, I gave Carlos everything, I worked for his reputation, and just to make the long story short, now my family likes him and accepts him, but that cost me tears and sweat, it wasnt easy, I gave him my new love, after the disgrace, and the most valuable thing I have my son, I gave him his time and his love to, and now it just seems like he is still with us, just because, but we do not make him feel anything anymore,or so it seems.
Carlos doesnt have a family either, his sisters live far away, his broher lives iwth him, but they dont even talk to each other that much just to pay bills, and some other matter about the house where they live in, nothing more, and his dad lives with his new wife, he doesnt spend time with him.
A week ago we fought over a text message I found in his phone, he was talking to another woman telling her how how hot and beautiful she was (this woman is not hot or pretty at all) he was just telling her this things cause he needd a favor from her. I know it is true, Carlos has never cheated on me and even until today I do not think he would do it. Anyways, he told me “I feel sorry for you I you feel less than her, shame on you, I am not disrespecting you with that message” and that came back again with “if you do not like it break up with me” and started making fun of me, laughing for how I could sad about that message, I slapped him, we have a horrible fight, we broke up, he told me a thousand times during the fight, “leave me coward, break up with me, you are always telling me you are going to do it and you never do” so I did.
He went on a trip, a work trip, but he is also taking time to surf and enjoy, it is practically a holiday too, we havent talked ot each other much, he only texted he still loves me and that he misses me, I said me too.
He is changing his profile pictures so I can see how much he is enjoying, not texting me a word, but I have his car, and his cousin that is more my friend than his cousin, she plays by my side, she is playing dum with him, acting like she doesnt know a thing, and Carlos is following up, they are talking about a ring, that just now I found out, which made me even more sad, cause before this fight he was planning on proposing, but now everything is broken.
On the other side, I cant help to think, if I marry this guy, woud I be happy, I asked him to go to counseling, and he says he is fine he doesnt need that.
Sometimes I feel God is sending signals to leave this man, but really sometimes he is the best, a wonderful man and dead, I swear, I feel like giving up on love. I have always been so romantic, and believed in love with strength and faith, but now I do not know what I feel anymore, only sadnees and uncertainty.
July 20, 2017 at 12:20 pm #159204PearceHawkParticipantNatasha,
When you read this be prepared to get what you deserve, an outpouring of love and compassion from the countless amazingly beautiful people on Tiny Buddha.
There is so much going on here that I am not sure where to start so I will offer some of my thoughts that I hope you welcome. Also, give Noah all the love you have. It will be a priceless gift to him as he is to you.
My thoughts now are just off the top of my head, from my heart. I shall get back to you later in detail as I need to digest all of what is hurting you with the hope that I can offer some useful words.
Know that Carlos’ “illusion on love and men” is unique to Carlos, that I assure you that not all men are that way. In fact, it is those characteristics that you see in Carlos, the alcohol, the partying, the flirtations, that if they are not corrected, they will destroy a relationship thus shaping your negative opinion of men.
When you said, “he was the man that was rescuing me.” I am curious how one can place any value in a person who has a self-destructive life style and rescue you and create the ideal relationship that you want. It reminds me of the saying, “Trust me” said the spider to the fly. We all know how that turns out.
When you reflected on what you said, “the only thing that came out of his mouth is “break up with me if you are so unhappy, I am fine, our relationship is fine.” This reads to me, go ahead. I don’t care. There are other people out there for me. Why do I say this? Because “A week ago we fought over a text message I found in his phone”
One thing that I find that contributes to this demise is when you said, “And I have always accepted his terms, even now.” This is why this hurt and uncertainty continues, because you ” have always accepted his terms, even now.” Accepting a relationship with him is to willing to be second in his life because ” he was talking to another woman telling her how how hot and beautiful she was.”
When you said, ” I slapped him, we have a horrible fight, we broke up, he told me a thousand times during the fight, “leave me coward, break up with me,” I see two things, although there are probably more. One being when you slapped him. I understand the anger and frustration taking over but resorting to violence crosses the line regardless of who initiated it. What Noah sees, Noah learns. The second thing that is obviously characteristic of a fractured relationship is him resorting to childish, immature name calling. I am wondering if this name calling is an expression of the alcohol.
When you asked yourself, ” if I marry this guy, woud I be happy?” With responsibility comes accountability and unless he acknowledges that his self destructive and verbal abuse have no value whatsoever and that he needs to change, and with your willingness to accept his terms as you say, and look toward him to rescue you, you will not only be not happy, but Noah will more than likely learn to live this way as well. Noah DOES NOT DESERVE to be exposed to this way of life.
Natasha there are SO many amazing, wonderful, beautiful things waiting for you and Noah. Those things are not found in a man who treats women like this. Leave this man, and I use that word loosely, and go for the things that you and Noah deserve, a life full of love, peace, and happiness. Buddha taught dharma. Embrace it.
Pearce
July 20, 2017 at 1:16 pm #159218ElianaParticipantHi Natasha,
I read your post. I would like to reflect a little on it, if I could and get back to you perhaps tomorrow. I broke two toes today, and am in considerable pain, just getting back from ER, and am on Pain meds, so not thinking too clearly. Let me get back to you when my mind is fresh.
July 20, 2017 at 4:59 pm #159234SimoneParticipantDear Natasha,
Thank you for sharing your experience and your troubles. From what you wrote it is clear that you are a strong young woman who loves and cares deeply for others.
It is my hope that you consider the advice I have to offer.
Even though you may feel sad and disheartened over the whole situation with Carlos, it may surprise you to find that the answer to all of this lies within yourself.
I encourage you to fully embrace your motherhood journey. Remember, Noah will be a child only for so long. Cherish and fiercely protect the time that you have together. For now, you are Noah’s entire world.
Do not despair or give up on love, redirect your focus towards yourself. Your story shows that you do not hesitate to love and sacrifice for others …. Can the same be said about the relationship you have with yourself?
My advice is to put yourself first. Love and respect yourself enough to know that you ultimately deserve better. Never settle for less. If Carlos is not willing to put in the work to make your relationship functional and healthy, it may be time for you to weigh other options. There are always other options.
A final note: Noah will learn from the examples you set for him. Choose to be with a man that reflects the values you want Noah to have.
– S.
July 21, 2017 at 9:24 am #159386NatashaParticipantPearce, I know maybe here I’m just displaying Carlos defects, but you have to know that when it comes to Noah, he can be such a good man, actually in times a real dad, loving and caring, trust me, my main concern now is give stability to Noah, I can not and I dont want to go through my life changing partners and Noah growing up like that.
When I said “he was the man that was rescuing me” you have to know his love at that time healed my heart, after Noah’s dad left me, I was broken, in a thousand pieces. Carlos gathered every single piece and his love made my heart almost new, I swear.
What Carlos is today is not how he showed himself at the beginning, ometimes I think maybe he just got bored, it was such and adventure and maybe even a challenge to be with me, the adrenaline of having a secret relationship. Now we spent weekends together, and I dont know if maybe he got convinced that this “parent life” is not what he wants or needs, or both.
Trust me, I regret slapping him, with my whole heart and all of my tears, I f could go back I would have said or did nothing, I swear. It was the worst decision, something the best reaction is no reaction at all. I an sure now. But it is done.
Now we are not talking at all, he texted me on Tuesday that he loved me and missed me and I just texted back: me too.
His cousin is my friend, she talked to him and she told me he is mad and resetful because of my response “me too”
He said it was too cold, that he expected more, he said he made the effort to take initiative and start a conversation but my coldness killed it.
So he is still on his holiday, havent heard a word from him. But I still have his car with me, we will have to talk on Sunday for it. I guess.
July 21, 2017 at 9:25 am #159390NatashaParticipantEliana, thank so much for taking time to read my post. 🙂
July 21, 2017 at 9:50 am #159392NatashaParticipantDear Simone,
Thank you for recognizing such beautiful things in me through my experience.
There are so many times I’ve heard that you must first take care of yourself, love yourself, and I am sure of that, it is true, but I can help to think on the person I am sharing my life with, either is Carlos or not. Probably it is also because I have no relationship with my mother or father, no brothers or sisters, I do not want to be pessimistic, but I have no one else, and afterall it is not what you have in life, or how much money you make, if you do not have who to share it with.
Thank God I have Noah with me, and one thing I am sure of, I have to be happy in order to be a good mother for him, and he wants me happy for sure. Right now I feel calm, I am just waiting, as I said sometimes the best reaction is no reaction at all, and I will wait for Carlos to come back on Sunday and I will listen if he has something to say, things must change, a lot of things, we have to go back to basics, and have agreements that can make us both happy. If not, then we are over. For sure. I am not settling for less, not again.
July 21, 2017 at 9:50 am #159394AnonymousGuestDear Natasha:
It reads to me that, as you understand it, “the adrenaline (rush)” died down for him. He may still love you, as he claims, but reads to me he got very comfortable with your attachment to him, believing, maybe, that no matter what, you will be with him, so he doesn’t have to try hard. Not as hard as he tried at the beginning.
You wrote: “There are days when I feel like I am too demanding, or that I am just too intense or fierce, cause if I could I would spent every single minute of my life with him”- maybe you have been too demanding, maybe you tried to take “every single minute” of his life and it was unreasonable. I don’t know.
I wish you had better communication with him directly, not through his cousin, that you were very clear about his state of mind regarding the relationship/ breakup with you (whatever the current status in his mind/ your mind). It would be good if there was a … meeting of the minds in this regard.
anita
July 21, 2017 at 9:59 am #159396NatashaParticipantAnita, yes, you are so right, that is actually what we need, but right now he is on his holiday, and probably he is distracted or not thinking of me that much.
So there is zero communication at the moment. I will wait until Sunday, he will talk to me for his car, for sure, hopefully we can have a meaningful talk.
And definitely, he got comfortable, he is now playing his macho role, so fresh and calm, he knows I love him with all my heart, I am really loving and affectionate person, besides telling him, I have always showed him my love and my loyalty. No doubt for him.
July 21, 2017 at 11:03 am #159432AnonymousGuestDear Natasha:
Love and loyalty should be continuously appreciated, not be used as a license to take a person for granted and disrespect the loving and loyal person. When he does return from his trip, I hope you find a way to communicate clearly to him that your love and loyalty deserve respect.
(After all, if he disrespects your love and loyalty for him, he doesn’t deserve those…)
anita
July 21, 2017 at 11:21 am #159440NatashaParticipantThank you so much Anita, I promise to post after Sunday, everything will be fine, I am sure. 🙂
July 21, 2017 at 11:30 am #159448AnonymousGuestYou are welcome, Natasha. I am looking forward to your next post.
anita
July 21, 2017 at 11:31 am #159450AnonymousGuest* didn’t record correctly…
July 21, 2017 at 4:49 pm #159488ElianaParticipantHi Natasha,
I read your post, and felt it made me so sad. Please don’t marry this man Natasha. You are miserable with him now, he is disrespectful, only wants to see you on weekends, talks to other women on the internet. Marrying him, will only make things worse. If he has not grown or matured by now, only he can change, he has unresolved issues, most likely he will need a professional counselor to sort things out. He is a loose cannon. I think deep down you know this.
You deserve better, for you and your little boy, to be a loving, stable relationship with a healthy and happy man.
- This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by Eliana.
July 22, 2017 at 7:37 am #159496RinjayeParticipantI am divorced. At the heart of it, was that I was expected to be everything to someone and I never had the right to ask for anything back. He’d get mad and refuse to talk to me for days over some petty thing; it got much worse after we were married. I’m pretty strong willed about most things and in this relationship I thought I could handle everything without needing the support. I did, for a while. And eventually I ended up very resentful of him. Then eventually I left. And when I did, I felt relief and then guilt over being relieved, and then just happiness that I was living the way I wanted. I had and have a good career and the interactions that I had with my coworkers and friends – the fact they were positive – made me realize how much negativity and strife were permeating my life. They were changing me and in an awful way. That realization was really what made me leave.
Do you feel like he makes you a better person, not just that you love him? If not, there are people out there who will. Trust me. It will be an amazing and terrifying experience, but you deserve to have your needs met. Be insistent on those, I know it is hard, but sacrificing yourself will only work for so long before it takes a huge toll on you and your mental health. Try to make some connections with other people (meetup was really helpful to me) and see what other relationships look like, to give you a sense of what’s great versus not so great.
Best wishes to you; I hope you find some peace and happiness.
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