Numbuk wrote:
If you want to ultimately make it work, then do so. But here is "the catch." There's always a catch and I am going to make it plain and in clear text. This catch only relates to you and your end. If you make a go at making the marriage work, then you need to forgive her. Completely and totally. There can't be a shred of unforgiveness left, else it will just pop up in a heated argument down the road (and that will be very, very bad to all involved) as well as slowly eat you away from the inside out.
I'm sorry - I'm late to this.
I agree overall, but I would add a caveat based on my experience. (I found out after my 10-year anniversary that my spouse had cheated multiple times throughout the entire marriage.)
You can't forgive until you've had a chance to process all of the grief, anger, and hurt. Getting it out, and letting her know how you feel (and this happens over time, not all at once), is a necessary piece of healing. You shouldn't be expected to just flip a switch and "all is forgiven". It takes time and energy to rebuild trust.
The cheating spouse has to take full responsibility for his or her choices. There may be mitigating circumstances, but he or she ultimately decided to cheat. Trying to shift blame for those actions and decisions is bullshit. Yes, both spouses have to address issues from the relationship itself (lack of communication, intimacy issues, how problems are resolved, mismatched expectations, etc.). But the dishonesty and actual cheating itself is not the fault of the other spouse. It's all on the cheater. Until they have owned that, then forgiveness is not possible.
Saving a marriage is work. It's energy draining and stressful. You may decide that it is worth it to try, or you may not. I wish you luck and an outcome that is best for both of you.
If you ever need to chat with someone who has been there (or just vent), send me a PM.