The End of a Marriage

My last post was about window shopping for a fantasy wedding. This one is about the stunning end of a marriage.

Good friends of mine have been wed for 12 years. A couple of weeks ago, I found out that their marriage has suddenly come to an end. Seems the wife met and fell madly in love with another man. This blind sighted the husband who never saw it coming. I suppose it can happen to anyone, at any time. I don't believe she planned to leave her husband but once she met this other man, I guess she realized what was lacking in her life. I don't think this is a case of purely sexual attraction, but I can't be sure.  I thought my friends had a solid marriage. Sure, they bickered, but they seemed to resolve their problems quickly. To me, it looked like they stood as a team during difficult times. I remember feeling encouraged by their relationship and knew I learned a lot by observing it. Now I've learned that even the surest things can change. 

What lies ahead is anybody's guess. I suppose he'll get the dog, and she will take the cat. Then the possessions will have to be divided. Messy business, even when broken hearts are not involved. Having only observed divorces from the outside, I can only imagine how gut-wrenching it must be, to know that you tried your best but failed. Can twelve years simply be erased? Is it ever possible to just let go and thank your spouse for the time you had together and the lessons learned? I hope he recovers from this life-altering experience and is not embittered by it. I hope she treats him kindly during the transition and does not rub his face in her happiness.

Love is a many-splintered thing.