So I have been dating my girlfriend for 5 years we are 24 years old. She graduated college 2 years ago, I graduated last year. In November we purchased a house together (both of our names are on it). We are not married, nor engaged. A couple months ago things started going strangely between us. I could tell she was unhappy, but when I asked her if anything was wrong she would say no, or snap at me for asking more than once so I let it go, I figured it was better to let her figure it out rather than poke the bear. That was clearly the wrong decision on my part because I learned last month that she had been consoled by her male co-worker (40 years old).

I have no problem with her talking to co-workers about her life, it's expected as you spend 40+ hours a week with them, However from what I have learned the conversing went from casual talking to complaining about each other's significant other, to professing their love for each other. The only reason I know about this today is because a couple weeks ago I found a text message from him saying "I can't wait till we can just be together."

Following this I obviously got angry and we talked about it and she was blaming the whole situation on me because she thought I didn't love her. We talked that night and then the next day she was getting text messages from him saying he loved her and what not. Which of course set me off again because she didn't tell me everything the night before.

Now I thought everything was OK, until last night when she again went off on how she doesn't feel like I love her because we don't act like we did in the beginning of our relationship in the so called honeymoon stage.

I don't know how to deal with this because it seems there is no getting this out of her head. I don't want to brain wash her or change how she thinks, I just want her to be happy. On top of that we haven't had sex in 6 months and the frequency before that was about monthly. Another wrench thrown into this is the house. If we were to decide to go separate ways neither of us could afford to pay for it ourselves, Granted that is the last thing I want to think about.


Thank you for any input!

"Now I thought everything was ok" - What? How could you possibly think everything is okay when she and her phone were telling you it is not okay?

Obviously with her talking to her coworker, which you are correct does happen, and not being together for long breaks shows that you two have grown apart for whatever reason. It takes 2 people to create the relationship you have now. At this point you both have to want to make it better for there to be a future. This cannot be just one sided.

I've seen this so many times. Because she is with you and things are not perfect, someone new comes along and it seems perfect. But that is because she is only concentrating on the bad elements of the relationship you two have. If you guys breakup and she is faced with just the coworker, she will start to remember the good parts of the relationship she had with you. And then it may be too late. But that is the future and not the now.

Again, you both have to want to fix what is broken to move forward. That will take a lot of work and it doesn't sound like she is willing. But you also need to do some soul searching to understand how you participated in creating the relationship you have now.

As far as the house you will need to sell it and split the gains or losses.

I wish you the best.

You might not want to think about it but maybe the house is the only thing keeping you together. She isn't telling you the whole story, for whatever reasons, and is distracted by outside influences preventing any meaningful dialog between you.

If the communications cannot be restored or repaired, I don't see the house keeping you together. You have no control over her happiness, it's up to her, so don't you be so distracted that you put so much on her happiness that you stay in denial that she is steadily moving away from you. This is by her own choice and she justifies it by blaming you. That's the same blame that justifies her to get closer to this co worker, and allow him to influence her.

Handle your business guy, and focus on your own reality of having an unwilling partner who is refusing to do her part in moving this relationship forward. I don't think it you without love, I believe its her. And her behavior is unhealthy and unacceptable. As hard as it is, set her free to follow her own mind and path as trying to hold on to an unwilling partner is impossible, and destructive.

Get out of any obligation to this house is where you start no matter what she says, or wants because her actions and behavior make this unsustainable anyway. Stop putting her happiness first because that's a waste of time and energy because she is unwilling to even discuss it. I feel its a smokescreen to get rid of you anyway, sorry.

Initially I felt like this whole thing was a smoke screen to get rid of me as well. It almost seems like she does not want to be the one to end it so she has no guilt. Knowing her for as long as I have my instinct tells me she is not capable of doing that because she's too nice of a person.

Initially I felt like this whole thing was a smoke screen to get rid of me as well. It almost seems like she does not want to be the one to end it so she has no guilt. Knowing her for as long as I have my instinct tells me she is not capable of doing that because she's too nice of a person.

And sometimes we have to accept other's decisions even though we don't like the decision they make. That is just the way life is. So you might want to start preparing yourself to move on with your life.

I have to be honest, Since this started I see how she could think I was distant. And we never have lived together, Could this be growing pains? Or am I looking for any reason to blame myself so I don't have to blame her?

I have to be honest, Since this started i see how she could think I was distant. and we never have lived together, Could this be growing pains? or am I looking for any reason to blame myself so I don't have to blame her?

Again it took both of you to create this situation so both of you need to understand how you both contributed to it. This feels a little past growing pains but I don't know either one of you.

We don't know you and we aren't hearing from her. So this is my take on Failure to Communicate After the Honeymoon Stage:
Some people hang onto teenage notions of romantic love and can't evolve.
Some people go directly from romantic love to a dead relationship of no expression of feelings, no warmth, no talk of the future, no admiration - basically the old 'take the other person for granted' situation.

Often I think we see women being the first.
Both men and women fall into the second: The man sees the woman as the nest building domestic momma. The woman sees the man as the breadwinner and she needs more and more bread.

So what would you say is happening with you two, looking at it from the stereotypes?

As for the house, you really do need to be practical too. Start looking at real estate values and sales around you. The best time to sell is early to mid spring.

I would say since clearly we both caused the situation that she is holding onto teenage notions of romantic love and I most likely take her for granted. I would say I see her as a nest building mom sometimes but not always.

I wonder if she would give him up if there were a chance to change your relationship?
Would you?
You could sit down with paper and pencils and make a list of what each of you needs and wants from each other. Make sure it has no negatives; positives only.
She needs you to
Do your dishes
And pick up your smelly socks
And appreciate her cooking
And come up behind her and hug her and smooch her neck
And ask her how her day went.
You need her to
I don't know, you tell us.

I am going to talk to her tonight about this. I am going to put the blame for the problems on both of us as we both caused the situation we are in. I'm going to tell her she still has the teenage view of liove which isn't realistic at this point in the relationship and I'll tell her I have taken her for granted.. I am going to tell her I think the house probably holding us together. I am going to tell her I think she is not telling me everything and that I think she was doing this to get out of the relationship and that she wanted me to do the breaking up so she could feel like the victim. The communication and the sex has gone away because we've grown apart for whatever reason. I am going to tell her we both need to work to fix the situation and she needs to be willing, and only after trying will I know if she's willing to fix things or not.

Damn this sucks.

I am going to talk to her tonight about this. I am going to put the blame for the problems on both of us as we both caused the situation we are in. I'm going to tell her she still has the teenage view of liove which isn't realistic at this point in the relationship and I'll tell her I have taken her for granted.. I am going to tell her I think the house probably holding us together. I am going to tell her I think she is not telling me everything and that I think she was doing this to get out of the relationship and that she wanted me to do the breaking up so she could feel like the victim. The communication and the sex has gone away because we've grown apart for whatever reason. I am going to tell her we both need to work to fix the situation and she needs to be willing, and only after trying will I know if she's willing to fix things or not.

Damn this sucks.

It sucks now. It may turn out to be the best thing you ever did. You never know and that is what keeps life interesting. Good luck, and oh yeah, duck when you do the victim line!

Well she's never thrown anything yet... I hope it doesn't start now. Most likely crying.

Thanks for your help.
Any other comments I'd be interested to read.

All this 'I'm going to tell her' isn't quite right. You shouldn't speak for her, and I wouldn't be so negative (unless you do want it to be over).
'I'm going to tell her she still has the teenage view of liove which isn't realistic at this point in the relationship and I'll tell her I have taken her for granted.. I am going to tell her I think the house probably holding us together. I am going to tell her I think she is not telling me everything and that I think she was doing this to get out of the relationship and that she wanted me to do the breaking up so she could feel like the victim. The communication and the sex has gone away because we've grown apart for whatever reason. I am going to tell her we both need to work to fix the situation and she needs to be willing, and only after trying will I know if she's willing to fix things or not.'
How about:
'I'm going to tell her I have taken her for granted, and ask her if she feels she still has a romantic teenage view of love. I'm going to ask her if she wants to work with me equally to fix the situation, because I do. Im going to ask her to sit down with me and write down what is missing, and I will do the same, and we will compromise and negotiate, for the sake of a mature loving relationship based on mutual respect and sharing of feelings, good and bad.'

Leave out the house! Leave out the grown apart! Obvious! Positive only. No recriminations. No gripes. Positive solutions only. Sounds corny but that's how it works if you pay a counselor a lot of money to do this.

Drop the guilt, it will never be her fault, and she is a confused as you are about unraveling this mess, or solving the problem.


especially, because she started with her having a dream that she suggested breaking up to me and I agreed.

That's the outcome she wants and the blame is on you no matter what you say or do. Handle your business, cry later, because for now you need expert LEGAL advice, to protect YOUR a$$. At least you won't get caught with your pants down while she explores her options.

because for now you need expert LEGAL advice, to protect YOUR a$$

What do I need legal advice for? The house?

For all your finances that are entwined with hers, because that's where any break up gets nasty. If you just deal with the emotional uncertainty, then room mates is a miserable proposition at best. It can take years to resolve emotions, whether you stay or go, and finances take more clear thinking, finesse, and expert advice.

I believe in hope for the best, but plan for the worst, cover your own A$$, no matter what she decides to do. I mean it's a suspect decision to enter into a contract with a girlfriend that depends on you both staying together to work in the first place. That indicates having Plan B, just in case.

She seem to have one, why don't YOU?

You guys have been dating since you were teens and she has met an older guy who has turned her on. She has grown out of this teenage dating thing. No sex for six months and once a month before that? There is something off here and it's not all you. Don't accept all the blame for this.
Put the house on the market and end the relationship.

I disagree that you need legal advice. I've shared ownership of a house with not one but 2 unrelated people.
You and she are on the deed, presumably as equal owners and as either joint tenants or tenants in common (in some states, tenants by the entirety). If she won't agree to sell, you 'force partition' by applying in court. It's fairly routine. If she stops paying expenses, you do this sooner rather than later.

But the thing is I want this relationship to continue, I want it to work out.

Of course you do, but hope for the best but PLAN for the worse because she may not agree.

I think this young lady is cheating and wants out and is not woman enough to own it.
Of course your heart wants things to work, but you need to use your head. Reread what you have written here. Do you really think when this cools down you can trust her?

And sometimes we have to accept other's decisions even though we don't like the decision they make. That is just the way life is. So you might want to start preparing yourself to move on with your life.

This is so sad:'( I think I needed that advice today... I don't want to:( but I guess I have no choice.. (He told me he is empty and we need to part) crushed:'(

The grass is greener on the other side of things. She took comfort in his arms and feel for his charms. She is now comparing what she thinks she has with him to what is feels she doesn't have with you. No sex in 6 months, she really has projected a lot of issues/blame onto you and taking the relationship failures out on you. She may be sticking it out because she has nowhere to go, nothing to fall back on, doesn't want to lose her share of the house. Whatever her thinking is I think you should have a talk with her. Tell her that since it appears she fell out of love with you what does she want at this point and where does she want to see things going?
'' she doesn't feel like I love her because we don't act like we did in the beginning of our relationship in the so called honeymoon stage.'' --this whole thing is her trying to twist things to make it out to be you that is the problem rather than admitting she isn't happy in the relationship

UPDATE
Well we had a chat today. We hadn't really talked about it for a week or so because we were spending this weekend with some friends at a lake and making it miserable for everyone was not exactly what I wanted to do.

Anyway, She came downstair crying and said she is going to stay the week at her parents. Basically she feels like she is not loved because she thinks we have grown apart. I cannot disagree honestly. She thinks we want different things, and I don't know if she is wrong about that either.

She is no longer talking to the other guy because she realized that was stupid. She was mad at me for not wanting marriage and kids and this other guy is on his 5th marriage and won't get married anymore and has been snipped so kids are out.

Anyway we are going to think about what we really want and take the break as it is this week. I am really not happy about it, as I am kind of destroyed seeing this happened a few hours ago.

So I am going to do some thinking this week, but I have this eerie feeling that there is no such thing as a really happy married couple as I have never seen a couple that has been married for 30+ years that is actually happy.

Also what makes a relationship really last? Happily?

There are many happy 30+ year marriages.
So you bought a house together have been dating 5 years and you say you love her, why were you two not at least engaged? Had you not even talked about it?

We had talked about it. But we decided buying a house first was a better idea. And since I had been out of school for such a short time the house was priority 1

I don't understand buying a house together and you're not even engaged, or buying a house being priority over marriage or engagement. Your being out of school for only a short time, I don't understand buying a house being the priority. Maybe she didn't either. At any rate maybe you two are not wanting the same things.

Maybe the problem was you put everything before the relationship, and now all you have is the house, career, and success, and friends but no relationship.

Either way we own a house . We are where we are now. She wants marriage and kids and to live in a suburb in this city, Exactly what I wanted since I was 16. But now I want to travel and hold off on the kids. I am okay with living in this city if I can travel for work. I also want to have sex more than once every 6 months. Then again she blamed THAT on not feeling loved once again.

You two are not on the same page. You may as well stop fighting and just end it.

It's easy to say just end it, but she was the main catalyst in getting the house. We were both very happy to be looking at houses, very excited for our future. We had a blast, which I find odd because looking for houses sucks imo. We were just happy to be together. When we moved into the house I think we put the house before us, we started re-doing the house and not focusing enough on each other. Because we were re-doing the house we didn't have money enough to go out and have fun often, That paired with the fact that my daily routine consisted of workout->work->come home and do a little something around the house-> eat->tv->bed. A very boring life, but that is how I have always been.


I am not sure if this is salvageable at this point of if she even wants to be with me, but by the amount of crying she did yesterday I would say she does want to be with me.

It really is more and more clear that you took her for granted.
Sex? Sex is often a negotiation, a compromise. You agree to act more ROMANTIC in tiny ways for 2 minutes twice a day, and she agrees to more SEX. Simple as that! Remember my list with the smooch on the back of the neck while she does some stupid household chore? I forgot the hug, and the compliment, the appreciation of who she is and how she looks and how you will always love her even when she's pregnant and old and wrinkled. Women need touch (outside of bed) and words. Brand those two words on your brain.
Travel instead of kids, for now? More negotiation. She has the upper hand in this, because of her AGE. You sit down and work out WHEN she gets pregnant, and allow for a year to conceive.
Now get to work.
Oh - and tell her you want to get married after you have several heart to heart talks about concrete PLANS.

I agree completely now that you point it out that I was taking her for granted.

Pretty obvious you have much changing to do to even be a viable partner for this female. Buying a house was probably her push for marriage and deep commitment. After 5 year of being together it's a NO BRAINER.

You just never took the hint. And I suspect that talking to another guy was an attempt to get your attention.

Her push to get my attention because I have been living in my own world and she just happens to be in it. I see it clearly now... I think

Leaving will either make you miss her, or change your thinking and actions, or both. Man you have to be blind if you cannot see what she wants.

She wants to be appreciated and loved and commitment and to be supported. Probably all from me.

What people would normally get in a loving relationship

Those damned priorities again huh? Ever read my signature below? Married 37 years and counting.

You want her but you don't seem to want what she wants. I hope you guys can salvage this.

Well she left for her parent's house Sunday, it is now Wednesday and we haven't talked/texted at all. My plan was to give her space to think. I figured out what I want, should I text her? Or should I give her a few more days since we decided she would stay a week.

Leave her alone and give her the space you said you would give her. You are sounding desperate.

That is what I was worrying about. Last thing I want to seem is desperate.

Leave her alone and do you own thing and take some time for yourself.

We had out chat. She ended things because she couldn't do it anymore. She said what drove it home is me not coming over and telling her I needed her, I guess letting her have time to think things over was a bad idea... I am crushed. Not sure what to do, hoping she will realize her mistake and come back, tempted to go get her from her parents house. Oh and this is my first real breakup... awesome.

When you had your chat, did you tell her you were giving her time to think, which is why you didn't go get her?
I think she had her mind made up before that.

She is guilt tripping you, making it all your fault for the break up. It's not, at least not entirely. Now leave her alone my friend, as her game was to make you feel bad in the first place. Let the dust settle and the emotions go down.

I have done s lot of thinking about this, obviously. I have talked a lot with my family and friends. The part I was confused about is all of her stuff is still in the house. She even said I could stay in the house as long as I wanted and she would pay for half, more than she normally pays. It almost seems like she is wanting a huge romantic gesture. But since that is not how I am and never have been I won't do that. But I was planning on going over to her parents house to talk to her. I just want to sit down and tell her what she means to me because she means the world to me and always has. So I'll let her know. Maybe take flowers but if that doesn't work then it is over for good

Do you not think taking flowers to her at her parents is a romantic gesture? I think for as long as you two were dating, you don't know each other. You're not teens anymore. Talk to each other and get to know each other as adults. You may find you have grown apart or you may like the adults.
I don't think you are as much in love as you say you are. I think you both have grown out of each other and neither want to be the one to end it. Maybe buying this house was your attempt to stay together. It takes more than property to keep a couple together

I agree it takes more than a property to stay together and trees flowers at her parents house is a romantic gesture. But who am I kidding. I love that stuff because I love to see her smile. I'm going to try it and see what happens.

I went over there. We talked. I laid it all out there. Told her how I feel. Took her flowers. She said she went out with the old guy she was texting. And she had a great time. But I told her how I feel and now I wait

Wait for what? She has told you she has gone out with this guy and had a good time. What do you think she is going to do about you?

She sill loves me. I hope she wants what we have. She wants kids and a wedding and a future. This guy cannot give that to her. I hope she just realizes that was fun because it was new and different. And I'm also crushed, I need something to hope for