[martina59]

I have a male friend who has been friends with myself and my husband for a few years. We have coffee together at least once p/week. He's shared a lot to me about his very unhappy marriage over the years. Is this an emotional affair? I love my husband, and Jeff is only a friend to me. Some of my friends don't think it's OK for a woman to be able to be friends with a man?
Advise??

[Eileen1218]

Why label it? You said you and your husband are friends with him and you also said that you and the male friend are only friends. It could be what your thinking or maybe you're getting "attached" to him or he to you?? If it has worked this long don't make it troubling or difficult... just call it what it is... "A friendship. As far as people saying it's impossible for a woman and man to be ONLY friends... why not?? You haven't lost control of yourself have you ? Let them say what they want to say... you and your friend knows the truth esp. as long as your hubby has no problem with it.
Hope this will help you.:)

PS: An emotional affair generally starts innocently enough as a friendship.
Here's information about what an emotional affair is, how an emotional affair differs from a platonic friendship, warning signs of an emotional affair, how to protect yourself from an emotional affair.

Through investing emotional energy and time with one another outside the marriage relationship, the former platonic friendship can begin to form a strong emotional bond which hurts the intimacy of the marriage relationship.

While there are those who believe that an emotional affair is harmless, most marriage experts view an emotional affair as cheating without having a sexual relationship.

Emotional affairs are often gateway affairs leading to full blown sexual infidelity.

[talaniman]

I love my husband, and Jeff is only a friend to me.

If your husband is aware and has no problem with this friendship, then its not an affair.

If this goes on without his knowledge, or you hide it, then your friends would be right.