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Navigating Relationship Conflict: Seeking Reconciliation & Understanding


Question
For the past couple of months I have been trying to make my engagement with my fiance work. I have been understanding, kind, honest & penitant of my own errors, have taken responsibility where I could while at the same time remaining committed to working things out because I love her. I have made changes that support what I have said and I have provided every opportunity for the two parties to work together on building...unfortunately it seems that she did not want to build with me and has not exhibited such a mindset for a couple of months now. In our parting conversation and email (no abusive exchange of words on either side...just hurtful emotions) she made me feel that my errors and character are the reason why she can't go forward. I feel she has been deceitful about her intentions as well, has led me on deiberately or non-deliberately...I don't know (I want to believe non-deliberately as I love her and still believe she loves me). Her words have made me feel first so guilty and now second so angry...I feel that she had been contemplating a way out but maybe was confused or didn't want to hurt me...but then why go shopping for wedding clothes with me and really be excited about it? I felt so guilty at first and thought this was all my doing but now I feel angry as her demeanor in the last couple of months has not one of personal responsibility and accountability (something that I was trying to do rather than blame) but rather that of dismissiveness and minimization. She did not even allow me the emotional space or freedom to be upset at her (no shouting or such, just hurt) for what I had to share...I felt she dismissed it. Where she did take responsibility she did it quickly and I felt no remorse or sadness on her part. I am so angry and I want to lash out right now...I am having such a hard time differentiating my feelings of love for her and my current anger...any feedback would help, thanks.

Answer
Getting engaed and being married, at least in the beginning is supposed to be a happy time full of hope, promise, and wonder. If you are experiencing hard times now, it's time to hit the door. Life has plenty of problems for the most promising of marriages, never mind those getting off to a troubled start. Heed the warnings man and find someone else.

Bill