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Sheree
Just Said Yes December 2021

Confused

Sheree, on June 11, 2021 at 2:25 AM Posted in Family and Relationships 0 16
My fiancé & I became engaged on Xmas Eve while I was spending the holidays with he and his family in Canada. And prior to that moment, I knew that he was the person I would spend my life with and he said the same. Actually he took the lead on our relationship and I followed when I felt the same. He was the 1st to say I love you and the one who brought up marriage first. Everything about our relationship was perfect until 2 months ago. To make the immigration part of things easier and cheaper for me to come see him, and the process less stressful. He took the lead as usual, in ultimately wanting us to get married at the court house just for the immigration side of things , but we weren’t counting that as our real wedding and we’re going to have a real ceremony with all our friends & family sometime next year. We have had his family involved from the start and they have been supportive...that was until he texted his mom about being part of the court house ceremony, and ever since, our relationship seems to not be ours anymore. He doesn’t call me his future wifey anymore, something he said constantly long before our engagement, he doesn’t seem excited about us or our future now...making excuses that it’s just because we are so comfortable with each other now? And he doesn’t plan anymore...he used to come home everyday telling me how another coworker congratulated us, he used to want to be involved with planning things, he had asked me to move in with him here in Canada; and I’ve been here 7 months now with the suitcases I arrived with for my original 4-6 week Xmas holiday trip; but suddenly he acts very territorial about this being “his” house...when before, it was love notes galore telling me this is OUR forever home and he wants me to stay here. It is as if, our relationship is now being controlled by his mom. We were invited to a family dinner at his parents a month ago, and when we arrived his mom said nothing to us. She was acting angry and distant. When my fiancé became aware, as dinner was about to be served, he politely wished everyone a good evening and we left. When it occurred, his dad said that she & he had fought earlier and that she was also mad over a text she read between son/father. Ever since that day, she now has completely turned on me and before we got along wonderfully! This pandemic has been challenging for me personally with my job and his mother came to our house and made me turn down a 6 figure job, with my living/food costs covered being it was located where ANTIFA was rioting. So I turned it down. That was 2 mo ago. According to his mom, I’m now unacceptable to marry her son because I don’t have a job? Though I actually do, I have a rental house that I draw income from. And I would have had the job she forced me to turn down on top of it. Her son does not help me with my finances or bills. He pays for the utilities I use while I’m here...though I cook 90% of his meals and do his laundry. Any food I like to eat...like coffee, bagels, eggs...or wine...I have to buy my own. Any food I prepare fir him that he buys is what I eat. So he’s not supporting me. Actually saying this aloud, he’s not being a real fiancé. Or acting like a future husband, with the situation we have going on. Other than being here under his roof for the time being, he does nothing financially in my life. Anyway, he’s gone to talk to her to fix things. But she’s adamant about being stuck in her ways. His dad supports us. Everyone else supports us in his family, uncles...brother. It’s just her. His dad tells us to giver her time that she’s just that way with everyone. She’s since dropped me from her friend on FB.


I’m having a real hard time with this. I feel like an outsider now looking in. I feel like I’m an outsider looking in at my own relationship. I bland my fiancé for this because it’s his job to take care of us. Me. Not his mom. It’s he who proposed to me...and it’s up to him to mean the things he says. Now, ever since the day he sent that text to his mom about us possibly having a ceremony at the court house to help the immigration process, even though I was upset at him for texting that. I also told him we wouldn’t be doing it, because I didn’t like how he handled it. I want everything we do done the right way. Well now because of his actions. His mother’s angry at me. As if I’m the one who did it. He doesn’t act like he used to. And he went from calling me his wifey to making excuses to why he now calls me his fiancé (which is not often). He now creates arguments over nothing. When I bring things up to get clarity, he rolls his eyes, plays with his phone and mostly seems agitated I’m bringing it up. He’s gone from talking about our wedding to not talking about it anymore. He’s even told me, “i plan on marrying you, just not anytime soon” and when I ask what he means by that, since he used to want to marry me before I left Canada to return to the USA, he says he means “not tomorrow”. This rips my heart out. He went from not being able to wait to now acting like I’m the one who sent the text that upset his mother...and it was HIM. I was against it. We hardly make love, only twice in 2 months. When it as almost everyday before. He proposed again to me in March after he sent my ring to be sized, right b 4 his mom flipped out. I just cannot understand how things changed like this.
Any advice? I’m literally laying on the couch while he sleeps in the other room. I decided to leave the bed and come in here to sleep because this has me so upset inside. I asked if he wanted to call things off and break up. He does not. He said he loves me. He still holds my hand, sits next to me to watch tv. Writes love notes after he gets one from me. He even told me tonight he didn’t want me sleeping on the couch, that he could tell I had that look on my face.
I just don’t know. I’m scared to death he’s gonna rip my heart out. And that we aren’t really getting married. All because of his mom. He told me earlier she doesn’t like anyone, or any girls he’s ever dated, nor his brothers. Just to give her time.
I don’t know if I’m over thinking or if I should be scared. Concerned. When I talk to him he seems over it. When I ask if he really loves me still, he rolls his eyes and says yes I love you. Why do you keep asking me. When I tell him he’s changed since his mom started this, and his uneasy it makes me feel. He tells me it’s not fair to take it out on him. Hmmm I’m not. I’m the one on the outside looking in. He still goes there while I’m left behind here...and I’m here just for him. When I look up help online and like today bring up what the experts say, he dismisses me and says he doesn’t believe in Googled hogwash. He used to have our picture on his iPhone screen and Apple watch. He’d get angry when I changed my FB profile picture to not have him and i together. Well now our picture has been replaced with political pictures and I’m told I’m over thinking things?
HELP!


16 Comments

Latest activity by Carissa, on June 12, 2021 at 1:41 AM
  • Sarah
    Master September 2019
    Sarah ·
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    I’m not going to sugarcoat this. You need to get out of this relationship. Assuming you are an adult, no one can force you to turn down a job. They’ve got you living a trapped lifestyle, and it honestly sounds like at the very least that’s what his mom wants. The fact that he leaves you at home and maintains a relationship with his mother after what she’s done/said to you is a huge red flag and the fact that he seems no issue with it is even more concerning. He’s gaslighting you into believing you shouldn’t be holding him accountable for how his words/actions are affecting your engagement.
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  • Rea
    Devoted November 2017
    Rea ·
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    What Sarah said.
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  • Yasmine
    Master October 2020
    Yasmine ·
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    I completely agree, especially about the job part. No on can make you turn down a job, and if you are letting your fiances mother make decisions for you as a grown woman then that is a whole different problem in itself. It seems as though your fiance is more of the problem than his mother because at the end of the day he should take up and protect his future wife.

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  • Emily
    Devoted June 2021
    Emily ·
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    Run! And NOW!
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  • Courtney
    Expert September 2022
    Courtney ·
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    I'm going to step over the 'Real Wedding' thing that you threw out in the beginning, because as much as that phrase annoys me, you have much bigger problems to work through.

    I really feel like this is how a lot of abuse stories start out. They shower you in love and affection, and then once they have you where they want you they start to turn on you.

    You need to be independent for a while. Take a step away from this man and run. Find a new job and no matter where it is, take it.

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  • C
    Super July 2020
    Cool ·
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    There’s so much to unpack here - I’ll keep it brief. Get out. Now. Run, don’t walk. You have a whole life ahead of you to be happy. This guy is NOT it.
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  • E
    Super July 2023
    Eniale ·
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    "They shower you in love and affection, and then once they have you where they want you they start to turn on you." You hit the nail on the head here. This is exactly what I was thinking.

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  • E
    Super July 2023
    Eniale ·
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    He has you "in the bag" now: you have been living in his house, in his country, for months. You turned down a job that would have given you full financial independence (I know you said you are providing for yourself, but you aren't having to pay rent - had you taken that six-figure job, you could have walked out at any moment.) You are far away from your entire support system (family, friends, familiar surroundings, anyone who could get you out of there.)

    He is gaslighting you, belittling you, isolating you, and it appears he even has his family teamed up against you so that you have absolutely no lifeline.

    Take the fact that you aren't legally bound to him yet as a blessing.

    Get out and go far.

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  • A
    Super December 2020
    Anais ·
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    Being forced to turn down a job because there are protesters nearby is such a ridiculous reason.
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  • Cyndy
    Master May 2019
    Cyndy ·
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    Wow! I agree with many of the others on here..,..RUN!!!! You have a whole life ahead of you and this is not what a good relationship looks like. Don’t let him give you just enough to keep your there. Everybody deserves better than that!!
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    This. 💯 percent. Seems very abusive, or he had some other game plan from the beginning. Leave immediately while he’s out. Change your number. Do not tell him, see a counselor together, RUN.
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  • T
    Dedicated October 2021
    Tammy ·
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    Ok so I'm going to go in a different direction with advice. I don't mean to be offensive but it sounds like you may be easily influenced by what people say and I just dont feel from your post that I personally could conclusively say that he's abusive gaslighting so I want you to see different view points. . Not that I don't agree with what they have said, just that I don't think there Its a complete enough picture for me to know wether he is gaslighting or simply wether he is just a silly mommas boy who Is too easily controlled and influenced by what his mother thinks to the point it is affecting him even in the bedroom....that's concerning unless the reason the bedroom issue is happening is also because of your hurt confused feelings ect. Either way counseling with him at this point to deal w mommy or gaslighting issues would be a good idea and gives you time and a professionals opinion to figure it out.


    My bigger concern is you and that you've stated he took the lead, you follow, she told you you couldn't take the job you listened. ....these are not them issues. These are you issues and I find it concerning that people are blaming them for your choices.. his mom did not force you to no take that job that was a decision you made.. she may have influenced you but you ultimately made the decision.. he didn't force you to move in ect you chose to, yes I know gaslighters manipulate the situation making you feel like it's your choice which is confusing but ultimately you made the finale decision. So you need to figure out did you make the decision because he was an amazing guy or because you were manipulated...Look, some people like being submissive so no judgement if you like it just own it and understand the territory and limitations you put on yourself . Others like their mate to feel they are submissive when they are anything but an others like to dominate or be in charge.. there is no judgement here, you just really have to figure out what you want and what kind of relationship your in. And if that's what you want for life....ask yourself Do you want to be a submissive person who only does what she's told if so then accept that's the role it sounds like you've put yourself in. If there is no reason for that and you are wanting to be an equal partner in life than you might need to address why you have gotten to this point wether it's truly an abusive gaslighting relationship or if you like someone being the lead just not in control, do you feel you've given up too much of your voice ect? . Finding a counselor and figuring out how to find your voice and how you want to be in a relationship is important before getting married. I mean it's hard because it takes being in a relationship to figure out what we want and don't want and how we want to be and don't want to be.. Starting your marraige how you want it to continue is important it is VERY hard to change relationship roles and rules after they've been set especially if there are extreme imbalances and if it goes on for a long time. Now would be a great time to exam this and make changes together that enrich you both. Truthfully it sounds like his mom is overbearing and he probably was attracted to you because you are the opposite of that, but the truth is its is hard for one person to ALWAYS be submissive or always be in the lead and control. Always be the one to initiate things ect, in a long term relationship this ebbs and flows and if he is not gaslighting you or deeply scarred from the mother issues maybe he's just tired of the drama and a little bit of what his mom is saying is eating at him, and is retreating taking an emotional back seat from being the lead all the time. Relationships that last 20-30 years ebb and flow , in the beginning your both all in, then over the years life gets busy kids trauma ect happens and one backs off, then the other steps up and holds the space and invests and if it's a good relationship and good communication then they reinvest things are good for a while and eventually then the other person has a lull and the other person should step in. When neither person steps in is when relationships fails and when only one person has been in for too long is when relationships fail but changing the lead is part of the natural ebb and flow. Its a little early but Maybe he just needs to see you take the lead while he deals with his mom for a bit. If you are confident it is not abusive and he is not gaslighting you then Be confident in the relationship, what's his love language? Fill his love tank and give him space while maintaining your rights. Moving is and navigating things together is always a big adjustment, if I read it right you still haven't unpacked? Is that you or him? Is that causing him stress, always a mess around or is he not giving you drawers closet space ect? Yes those are red flags and should be discussed as to what he is feeling maybe one of you is messy and the other clean and that is creating discord, or styles are out of sync ect and he thought it would be easy but it's not as easygoing, those things are not uncommon but if it's more than that more abusive gaslighting controlling its concerning.. Getting a job is probably a good start, having a discussion about how you feel about him visiting his mom without you maybe a good start, maybe the reason he is doing it is because he is a mommas boy and you have to decide if you want to give him time to grow out of it but maybe he is doing it to spare you the vile person his mother is and he is hoping to smooth it out. You won't know unless you ask. How you ask . is important. Also if his brothers wives have gone through this why aren't you spending time with them? Bonding over mommy dearest? Spread your wings, make new friends and get a new job you'll know pretty quickly if he is controlling, gaslighting because he won't allow that. If you have distanced your family and friends then embrace them again, even discuss visiting them, if he is gas lighting he won't be ok with that either...finally I know I've already said too much but if you decide to stay w this guy and you marry him she becomes your family have you considered having a sit down with just the two of you? Only consider this if you feel you can be discreetly in control, not a session for her to bash you, but an adult opportunity to let her know your position in his life and you value having her in it and if going well maturelly discuss both of your concerns. Maybe discuss with brothers wives what any of the other wives have done and t r y what was successful and avoided what didn't work. You have a goldmine of information at your fingertips if they are willing to share. Not a gripe session of course, brothers might take offense but a true girl to girl looking for any advice to win momma over convo.
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  • Katie
    Expert August 2021
    Katie ·
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    Exactly this. Pack up your suit case and go back home, leave the ring and keys on the counter. And never look back. He should be supporting you and standing up for you. He should have set strict boundaries with his mom for you. Your relationship with him will be like this forever because his mom is a manipulator and I'm sure she can easily manipulate him into replacing you and he wouldn't think twice about it. And that's not a person you want to be with. You want a person who can be there for you and support you even if it means standing against their own family.
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  • Katie
    Expert August 2021
    Katie ·
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    Exactly this. I think they're called groomers. They groom their victims into believing in this fairy tales life that doesn't actually exist with them. Then they trap you in a life you feel you can't leave and then they abuse you maybe mentally or physically and they manipulate you into believing that you need them.


    He got you to move in with him in another country, then his mom manipulated you to turn a job down. So now you are more dependent on him and feel as if you can't leave. But you can and you definitely need to. It's only going to get worse.
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  • Courtney
    Expert September 2022
    Courtney ·
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    I would agree that we all need more context and she also needs to take more responsibility for her decisions.

    I think she would be best off removing herself from the situation, getting into counselling, and going from there.

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  • C
    Devoted September 2022
    Carissa ·
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    I have trained as a domestic violence advocate. I am not going to jump on board with everyone here and say this is indicative of abuse, gaslighting, any of those things. I think these are things and terms that get thrown around too easily these days.


    I do feel like we would need way more information than just your side of this situation. There are certain parts of your post that make me think maybe you lack some maturity, and I'm curious how old the two of you are. For example, him calling you fiance instead of future wifey? Not being as many love notes? His phone screen photos being changed? Those are quite minor and petty things to get upset over, which makes me question the maturity. And saying he's not acting like a real fiance because he's not supporting you financially, right after you say he's paying for the house and all the utilities... I mean, the relationship you described in that section sounds like what a marriage is. Or maybe the duration of the relationship? How long have you been together? Is this the first time you're living together? Is it possible you're just now passed the honeymoon phase of the relationship and settling into boring, normal life together?
    And aside from the texts that made his mom mad, what makes you think his mom has anything to do with the other changes in him? Maybe I missed that in the post. I also agree with previous posters that as an adult, no one can "force" you to not take a job, however maybe you felt pressured to not take it and gave in. While not great, it's not abusive. To me it sounds like you are insecure and he doesn't understand why. I mean, it's I'd also get annoyed if my fiance was persistently asking if I loved him- obviously I do or w wouldn't be engaged. You two need to have an honest conversation and when he says he loves you, believe him. Don't press it. Don't let your insecurities take over and smother the relationship.
    However with all that being said, I am still just an outsider who has limited information. If anything does make you truly feel the situation is abusive, of course get out. And of course therapy is a great option in either scenario- it could help you sort through some of this stuff even more.
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