Dear Abby Confession to long-ago infidelity devastates wife

DEAR ABBY » Two years ago, my husband of 50 years confessed that 46 years ago, shortly after our son was born, he had a onenight stand with a total stranger he gave a ride to. She offered sex to him, and they went to a hotel for the brief encounter. He said he was very upset when he remembered, to the point that he felt sick.

He decided to tell me because he didn’t want any secrets between us, and he asked me to forgive him. I forgave him, but I have been devastated ever since.

Abby, I cannot get over the fact that he did this to me. Not a single day goes by without the pain and the images of him being unfaithful in a marriage that I considered to be nearly perfect until then, take hold of me and make me very sad. I don’t cry as much anymore, but the intensity of the pain hasn’t subsided.

Your words of wisdom will be appreciated.

— Wounded in Florida

DEAR WOUNDED » So your husband chose to ease his guilty conscience about this one-time infidelity 46 years ago and lay it on you. It would have been kinder had he “confessed” to his spiritual adviser.

Focus on the fact that what happened (once) four years into your marriage is less relevant than the quality of the relationship you have shared during the ensuing nearly half- century. Because it has been two years since your husband told you and you are still in emotional pain, consider enlisting the help of a licensed marriage and family therapist. Talking it out may help these feelings to dissipate so you will no longer be haunted by the images in your head. Please do not wait to do this.