Woman Says Her Husband of 6 Years Wants to Stay Married but End Their Romantic Relationship: 'I'm So Broken'

A woman says that her husband recently told her that he no longer wants to have a romantic relationship with her — but still wants to stay married. 

The woman detailed her story and sought input and advice in a post entitled “Want to split but everything stays the same” on the U.K. online forum Mumsnet. In the post, the woman shared that she and her husband have been married for six years, but have been together for 12 years total.

She says he “seemed off the last few days” and recently asked “if we could talk.” During the conversation, the OP (original poster) says her husband proceeded to tell her that he “has not felt right” for the past year and “doesn’t see us working going forward.”

However, she says that he also said that he “still loves” both her and their daughter and that he wants to “carry on living life as it is now,” which he explained would include things like sharing a home and finances and attending events for their daughter together — “just not actually be together or intimate.”

The woman says this “came out of the blue for me,” adding, “I genuinely thought we were happy and a great couple and this was the furthest thing from my mind.” She goes on to write that she wants to stay in the marriage for the sake of her daughter but adds, “I’m so broken and don’t know what to do.”

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“I still love, fancy, [and] adore him and he’s my best friend. [...] I just feel so lonely and unloved,” she concluded, before asking her fellow community members: “Has anyone ever been in this situation and it worked, [as in] you’ve been able to live harmoniously with the man you love but not together?”

Community members were quick to share their thoughts with the OP — and the vast majority of them advised her to leave the marriage sooner rather than later.

“Leave. Life is too short for nonsense like that,” said one person.

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"He doesn’t get to call the shots here. If he doesn’t want you as his wife/partner, then he leaves. You deserve much better than this,” added another commenter.

Someone else said: “Why should he get the benefits of you in his life in that capacity if he doesn’t want to be in a relationship with you? He wants to have his cake and eat it, be free to explore new relationships while having a maid/mother at home who is desperate to please him. Please tell him asap that if he wants a separation it will be a full one.”

Others said they suspect something else might be going on and that the woman's husband may not be giving her the full picture.

"There’s someone else, sorry OP, get your ducks in order and leave," added another person.