I should've known it was always going to end like this. In fact, I guess part of me always has known it, I've just blocked myself from acknowledging it.

11 years ago we met. I was the outgoing party guy, always up for a good time. You were the shy single mom of 2 great kids. You kept me at a distance from them for the first 6 months, to protect your cubs. I completely understood your reasoning, no sense involving kids in a new relationship that might not work out. In hindsight, I'm more than glad you did this, because it really gave me time to get to know you, just you, and it allowed me to explore whether I was ready to be a "father figure" to someone else's children. Well, despite my fears, despite my concern that I didn't really have the best father figure(s) of my own... growing up in a broken home after my parents divorced when I was 6, and then mom remarrying to an alcoholic abusive redneck when I was 12... I decided that I was good enough, and that I could "settle down".

The first 4 years dating were not without issue. I was... difficult... and I know that. Between my mental health issues having a great effect on our interactions, closing me off emotionally, and financial problems for both of us, it was rough. But, I knew you were in my corner. I never questioned your commitment to us.

Then we got married...

Ever since that beautiful day in August of 2015, the change in you has been terrible. I don't know if you were able to hide your true self for 4 years, or if you literally changed in front of my eyes. It wasn't gradual. It wasn't slow. It was almost instantaneous, and it happened 6 months after we got married and bought the house. We lived together since 8 months after we started dating, so I know that the reason for the change isn't because of that.