This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/bestofredditorupdates by /u/Choice_Evidence1983 on 2026-08-07 04:00:06+00:00.

---

I am NOT OOP, OOP is u/LiterallyJustAHorse

Originally posted to r/beyondthebump

16 years of marriage. 5 kids. Found out this morning my husband has been having an affair.

Trigger Warnings: domestic abuse

---

Original Post: July 13, 2026

I (38f) and my husband (39m) have been married for 16 years together for 18. We have 5 children together the youngest is only five months old. He is active duty Navy and has been gone for weeks. Yesterday he came home for a two week leave but immediately wanted to go out to drive Lyft for extra money which I thought was weird because he hadn't seen us in so long. I even joked as he left that he better not be sneaking out to another woman. Ha ha ha. 💀.

He didn't come home until after 5 am. At 5:30 he was asleep and his phone pinged and I looked at the message. It was a Facebook messenger message from a woman that said "glad you made it home okay. I love you." So I messaged back that I'm his wife and who is this. The girl spilled.

She's on his ship, another sailor. She and he have been having an affair for months. He told her we were separated and that he loved her blah blah blah. I woke him up and confronted him and he admitted everything. Told me that I'd been difficult lately with my postpartum depression. Told me that she isn't distracted by kids and when they are together it's just her and him. Told me she is exciting and me and him are too routine. When he got done blaming me he started blaming her saying "you know I have a hard time saying no to people" I said yeah you had no choice but to dick her down I guess. 😑 I told him he did not have to choose between us that she can have him. Worst of all she's the age of my oldest (his stepson). She's 21. Same age. And he said "I never thought it would be permanent with her because I don't want any more kids and she's so young I don't want to deprive her of that "....

He had a whole ass other relationship behind my back. Like a girlfriend girlfriend. Like an I love you let's talk about a future thing. It's so fucking cliche it hurts. I can't believe I'm like a fucking lifetime special having to say, "my husband had an affair with a coworker half his age."

I look at my infant daughter and all I can think is that I hope she stays as far away from marriage as possible. 16 YEARS. 5 KIDS. Blind sighted. I'm such an idiot. I'm just standing in the wreckage of my life going what now? I told him the marriage is over. I just need a hug.

Editor's note: OOP made lots of responses, listing some for more context

Relevant Comments

OOP explains more about her husband's role at work and the said girlfriend

OOP: He clarified today that not only does he outrank her, but he's her work center supervisor. She's a victim just like me.

OOP: I mean she's the same age as my oldest child so to me she is just a child. I don't blame her for falling for my charming, handsome husband especially if he lied to her. He's a predator. You should have heard the vitriol he spat about her to me while to her he's telling her he loves her. Women need to stick together. Put the blame on the man where it belongs.

Commenter 1: Honestly I don't think your kids will ever be able to look him in the eye. If my dad had cheated on my mom (or vice versa) that would be then end of any relationship with that specific parent figure for me. No one needs their entire family structure and support network shaken because one of the people they're supposed to rely on or see as a safe space can't keep it in their pants.

I'm sorry you're going through this, I'd straight up tell him that I hope he likes living on a boat because that's the only home he's gonna have from now on.

OOP: My 13 year old unfortunately heard us talking early this morning and so he knew his dad had cheated. Later on he gave me a big hug and told me he wished cheating was illegal. I told him not to worry about that and that we will always have each other and just because me and daddy's relationship is over doesn't mean his relationship with his dad is over and that we both love him. He said well I don't want to go swimming with him tomorrow. He's been upset all day. Sucks. I hate how he hurt the kids worse than I hate how he hurt me.

Commenter 2: Screenshots and take half his retirement. If you want, send evidence to his commander and he will be formally disciplined for potential fraternization. Source: am former military officer

OOP: I have been considering it. All I have are the screenshots of the Facebook messages. I'm worried if I get him in trouble it could hurt me and the kids, too. Right now his is the only income. I am (stupidly knowing what I know now) a stay at home mom. We also live on base housing and my 13 year old depends on Tricare for his medical needs. I'm afraid getting him in trouble would backfire on us. I need to research it more. My head I still spinning.

Commenter 3: How do you have a step son if you’ve been with this man since you were 18? Damn girl. LEAVE HIM. NOW.

OOP: So my oldest is 21 and was a teen pregnancy with my first boyfriend (2005). I was 17 at his birth. I met my husband in 2008 and my oldest was 3. In 2013 we had our first child together, again in 2016, 2019, and 2026.

Commenter 4: I’m so, so sorry. This isn’t your fault. This isn’t because of marriage. This is a shitty, selfish man. I bet he would have never told you either. Unsafe, no accountability, what a loser. And with a 21 year old. Take all his money and kick him out.

OOP: I already kicked him out. When I told him I didn't want him sleeping here he looked dumbfounded like that stupid Pikachu meme. Mouth hanging open and everything. Like he was so confused and he was like why can't I just sleep on the couch? I told him me and you are not together and you are not going to stay in my home and if you won't leave then I can call your command in the morning.

Additional Information from OOP:

OOP: I just want to add one thing. When he was telling me what happened with her I mentioned weren't you concerned about getting her pregnant and he said no because I pulled out. And I said wait a minute. Does that mean you weren't using protection? And he admitted that they weren't. So now I have to go get a full STD panel on top of everything else because I'm exclusively breastfeeding our daughter.

I'm sharing this because it feels like an extra violation on top of the betrayal. I'm a big proponent of informed consent, and by him withholding that he was having unprotected sex with someone else that took my consent away from me. I just feel extra gross right now.

Commenter 5: That's freaking rough. And "wants no more kids" but is only using pull-out?????? Dude. Dude.

OOP: Now you understand why we have so many kids. 😅💀

Commenter 6: Did he pull out for all your kids?

OOP: 2/4. And for this last one I was on the pill! I didn't know my antibiotics messed with it so SURPRISE. I love her very much though. I can't imagine life without her now.

Commenter 7: I think to protect yourself and your babies get a lawyer first, and tell them everything. Let them find out discreetly if there could be serious ramifications that could affect you and your children from going to his command, and then go from there.

Either way, you deserve better. Also, you’re not an idiot, you didn’t do anything wrong. He sounds so selfish and unaccountable for his own actions. It’s a real shame when these middle aged men still have growing up to do. Telling you how hard your post-partum has been for him, absolutely sends me.

OOP: He is mad at me because I sent a doctor's note to the ombudsman saying I had ppd and my doctor recommended having a second caregiver in the home while I got started on antidepressants. The ombudsman sent it up to the CMC and he got counseled. They didn't grant him emergency leave though, he ended up going out another 3 weeks underway. But to him I made his life difficult by getting command involved.

Thing is since this last pcs I have no family or friends in this state. So I had no one to help me at all.

Commenter 8: How young is your youngest? He gets 12 weeks of leave called Parental Care Leave (PCL) that must be used in the first 12 months unless operational commitments affect that and CO gives a letter. Has he used it all? Has he used it and not been staying home with you?

OOP: Youngest is five months old. He took two weeks off when she was born (premature at 35 weeks) but that's all. Told me his CMC told him that you aren't entitled to paternity leave while on Sea Duty and if they let everyone with a baby off for 12 weeks the ship would never leave port. Of course, every word he says could be a lie so...

Update: **J...

---

Content cut off. Read original on https://old.reddit.com/r/BestofRedditorUpdates/comments/1vhq1dr/16_years_of_marriage_5_kids_found_out_this/

Update: July 31, 2026 (18 days later)

So I have an unhappy update.

After making him leave I went to the Chaplain for advice, and he asked to speak to both of us. I told him I wasn't interested in reconciliation but would be willing to talk to him. My husband cried and said he just wanted his family back. The chaplain pushed me to give him another chance and for me to sit down with him at home and have a real conversation before filing for divorce.

After we left that session my husband got all his stuff out of the house and moved in with his affair partner. (Yep. Even though he cried to the Chaplain he immediately moved in with her). I thought about what to do for a long time and then decided I cannot tolerate this and would tell his command about the affair and them living together. So that weekend I called him and told him what I planned to do. He started freaking out and told me he was going to commit suicide, that he had nothing to live for anymore. At this point I got in contact with the family advocates on base and also texted the chaplain about my concerns for his safety and the safety of me and our children.

Two days later he came by to have our "talk". I can't share too many details from here on out, but what I can say is that I reiterated that I was informing his command and had evidence to show them and at that point he hit me, tried to attack one of our children who was in the room with us (who tried to defend me), and chased us around the house like a mad man. My son ran to the neighbor to get help and they called 911. Police were called and the base locked down for several hours while they searched for my husband. They found him eventually and brought him to his command where a no contact order was put in place.

Since then I have filed for a protective order, been working with DV advocates, and CPS who was called because my child was involved. CPS has been great, by the way. They told me I was doing everything right protecting my children and put a safety plan in place that keeps him away from us.

As far as I'm aware the Navy is investigating and he may face charges, non-judicial punishment or court martial. For now he is free to roam and not locked away. It's been a very scary time. The child that was involved is currently sleeping next to my bed because he is so scared. I've taken some practical home security steps. I also called a DV shelter to try to get there but they told me they were at capacity and didn't have room for a mother and 4 children and the next shelter was several hours away. School is about to start, and I also have to be able to go to court so that wasn't an option. I also cannot leave the state now because I filed a protective order and it requires me to stay because of the children. So I'm a sitting duck just praying and hoping he doesn't murder us.

I'm not exaggerating. Here is a man who can lie like he breathes. Who became violent and endangered his own child JUST for his affair being threatened to be reported. What happens when he faces the loss of his career or even potentially his freedom?

I wish I had a better update. I don't. I'm scared to death. I'm working with every agency that will help me, police, court, CPS, advocates, legal aid, etc. None of it matters if he shows up with a gun in the middle of the night. We live on base with him. It's not like he is far from us and again he is NOT restrained from movement. I bought a plane ticket for my mom, but she can only stay for 9 days and won't be here until the end of August.

Everyone please keep me and my children in your thoughts. I am doing everything I can to keep my kids safe. Can't believe this is my life after all these years. I feel so awful for my kids. I'm just holding my baby and praying all the time for us.

I almost didn't update but I wanted to not deal with this all alone. There's not much anyone can do but boy could I use some emotional support. Anyone who has been through this and made it out please tell me it will be ok.

Relevant Comments

Commenter 1: Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry. I can relate sadly to a lot of this, right down to “he lies like he breathes”. This is so scary and I really hope things work out in a way where justice is served for you and your children.

Is it possible for you to physically go somewhere else for a little bit? I know your mom is coming, but can you go to her instead?

OOP: She is in another state, and I'm legally cannot leave the state now that I've filed a protective order

Commenter 2: Who told you that you can’t leave the state? Protective orders usually list the locations he’s banned from but don’t put a ban on the petitioner’s ability to be safe. What’s the consequence if you leave? The protection order became invalid? Will that matter if you’re gone? And how would they find out if you left? He would have to report it and that shows he’s trying to violate and find you, and again, what consequence is there to keep you? They’re just pieces of paper in the end for both sides.

OOP: "Neither party shall remove the minor children from the State of 🩷, which is the jurisdiction of this Court, prior to the hearing on this temporary injunction. Violation of this custody order may constitute a felony of the third degree under sections 787.03 and 787.04,."

Took out the state for obvious reasons but that's what my order says.

Commenter 3: I’m sorry you are going through this awful nightmare. This is a lot to handle all at once. I will be keeping you all in my thoughts. I really hope you keep updating us. Do you have any friends on base you can stay with for a few nights here and there just to get some rest and space from the worry of him showing up?

OOP: I have one, but she has kids and I don't want to endanger them because he knows where she lives.

Commenter 4: Oh god this is the only scenario I would ever consider buying a handgun. Not saying you should but if I were in your shoes I would be terrified to death unless I had some physical way to protect myself and my kids that didn't rely on a piece of paper. Only buy one if you are prepared to use it if necessary. And of course keep it locked from kids.

OOP: Not allowed to bring them on base. Sucks.

Commenter 5: Not sure if you are comfortable with this but the reddit community is really generous. I'm going to hazard a guess that you are either in VA or FL. If you cross post to one of those subs or even the military sub someone always pops up offering to pay for a hotel or a spot in their home. I wish I could but I'm struggling to get by as it is. I wish you luck and you are definitely in my thoughts

OOP: I'm not asking for anything like that. I genuinely just need someone to talk to.

There's a thing called the transitional compensation program so if he gets separated or incarcerated for domestic violence we will get his income for 12-36 months. CPS also offered me daycare vouchers so I can search for work. And in my protective order I'm asking for child support. Plus our base housing is covered by his bah (for now).

I truly do just need emotional support. And advice. And someone to tell me it's going to be ok.

Commenter 6: These are just a list of questions/suggestions.

Do you have a security system installed?

Do you have extra locks on your doors + windows and each of your children’s doors + windows?

You can most likely use child locks for indoor windows, but you’ll want an internal lock for each of your doors. This includes rooms that do not have windows (maybe a bathroom or pantry). There are internal locks that are easy to remove as well since I assume it’s base housing and you may not be able to make permanent changes.

Do you have a safe box for legal documents that you can grab and easily take with you in the case that you need to leave suddenly? In the same vein, do you have a go bag for yourself and each of your children? How much cash can you reasonably get and have tucked away just in case you need to leave?

Do you have a pay as you go cellphone to keep charged in your car?

Always have your gas tank full.

Because school is starting again, you need to contact their schools and inform them of the risk their father poses, the legal status, that he may be armed, and that he is under no circumstances to be allowed to pick them up.

And I know these aren’t the best, but maybe if your children have phones, always have them sharing their location or put an AirTag/other tracking device in their backpack.

I’m not saying DON’T have weapons but buying a weapon after this situation may not look great in a trial if you have to use them. My mammaw would say to buy a cast iron frying pan and use it frequently.

OOP: I'm taking a lot of protective steps, I promise. I just can't give details in case he were to find this post.

Commenter 7: Why are men so dumb? Also let's be a bit fair to the 21 year old. He told her he was separated. She didn't think she was having an affair. Now that she knows she's probably struggling to process it.

Also he lied. She's going to face a lot less repercussions than him. OP I hope you're safe.

OOP: That was actually another lie. She admitted she knew. So they are both assholes.

Commenter 8: Have you contacted NCIS aside from command? NCIS may be a stronger option

OOP: Navy is going after him from what I understand.

DO NOT COMMENT IN LINKED POSTS OR MESSAGE OOPs – BoRU Rule #7

THIS IS A REPOST SUB - I AM NOT OOP

Nightmare fuel for military spouses