Our poly beginnings - my story

Seitu

New member
Morning all
I am a 28 year old female with bisexual tendencies (if I could use that word :p )
I had put a small introduction previously but did not write much as I was not sure where to start. Over the last almost 2 months I have been reading various poly related books and talking with my husband (36 yrs old) who I have been with for 6 years (married for 1.5 years). I came out to him about my interest in polyamory and he seemed alright but with further discussions it was obvious he is not comfortable with me being with another man (another woman yes he is fine).

I will try to put this in some type of chronological order.

I have only encountered one actually polyamorous person in my time on this earth and that was back when I was 19. I would say they were in a quad sort of relationship and I thought it was interesting but was worried about the child that was in the home. But to each their own I thought.

I haven’t dated many people but during my first actual relationship (19 years of age) I was seeing a man primarily over long distance communication and he knew of my desires for another person sexually and emotionally and was aware of my involvement with this other person. and I knew he too was an open minded person about these sorts of relationships. I then ended that relationship with both due to moving and other things and was just seeing other people in a more casual sense. I then met my husband and we have been together and in love. We have throughout our time together been with other people in the forms of threesomes and swinging with other couples. I guess you could say that was due to me - or so he reminds me of occasionally. I always felt it was pleasurable and interesting to get to know other people and have these physical experiences.

Now here I am wanting more in terms of relationships. I started to read up on polyamory exactly and thought perhaps I have always felt a form of non-monogamy is more my style. I belief in communicating and being honest and have told my husband this. My husband is leery because he is concerned he will be jealous and I have been sending him information about polyamory and how to cope with jealousy as it will come up.

The beginning of March I joined a local poly group online and have been communicating more there to find out some information. I have also been reading all your lovely posts and appreciate the insight you all share.

This past week I was approached by a male over the group and we talked and it seemed to go well and he was patient in terms of my explaining that my husband is aware that him and I are talking but he is not sure he wants me to meet him alone or have any intimate relations with him. This male told me that he would like to meet my husband and explain his reasons for polyamory (he is older than both my husband and I and has even lived in a quad relationship in the past). So he came over and we all talked and it seemed to go well. But the next day this man asked to see me before he left that evening for out of the country on a trip and so I told my husband but my husband became quite upset and read our message and felt this man was trying to pressure me to meet alone. I do not see it this way but I told my husband that if that is how he feels then I will not communicate any more with him. And thus ended that.

I must add that over the last couple weeks I also told my husband that he should consider himself finding a lady to befriend and see where it goes as he seems interested but notes he does not know if he could do it as he will have guilt about being with another woman. I told him that it makes me happy knowing he is communicating with another person and building some connections/relationship with this person (emotionally - and sexually... of course :p) So the other day we both signed up for an online dating site in hopes of meeting people.

So here I am this snowy Sunday morning…
I have been talking to some potentials and my husband has also connected with a female who he seems to have lots of interests and he seems quite pleased with. I am excited for him and for this girl and for our relationship. I have noticed that since we started talking about all this stuff I have been way more passionate and close to him (my first question: IS THIS NORMAL TO FEEL THIS WAY TOWARDS HIM AFTER HAVING ENGAGED WITH CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHERS?)

another question I have is:
DOES THE PRIMARY PARTNER (MY HUSBAND) NEED TO MEET/BEFRIEND THE 2ND PARTNER? (I want to hear your own opinions/experiences with this as my husband first said he wants us to both meet each others partners first but I told him I did not feel I needed to meet each girl he talks with because what if after the first meeting he does not feel their relationship will go anywhere… I still feel he is stuck in the swingers mindset of we are a couple and do things together - I am trying so hard to explain to him that this is his own and that at the end of the day though he comes back home to me and his daughter and we are still a family that loves each other).

The first time I had started writing this (not so) little blurb my husband was against the idea of me being with a man on my own (outside of a threesome) but now I feel he is getting more comfortable with it all. I just hope everything runs smoothly from here on out.

Thanks for your patience and understanding - I know this is long and perhaps I should keep this open in another section so that I can just keep people updated - sort of like my own little mindspace :)

sei tu
 
IS THIS NORMAL TO FEEL THIS WAY TOWARDS HIM AFTER HAVING ENGAGED WITH CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHERS?

Yes it can be normal to have those feelings.

DOES THE PRIMARY PARTNER (MY HUSBAND) NEED TO MEET/BEFRIEND THE 2ND PARTNER?

No he does not need to meet your other partners. I personally have no urge to have any contact with any of Butch's BDSM play partners or gf's.

Butch prefers having little contact as possible with Murf. Not because he hates him or etc just because we keep our noses out of each others relationships.
 
Hi Seitu,

Re:
"Is this normal to feel this way [way more passionate and close to him] after having engaged in conversations with others?"

Normal enough that there's an official word for what I think you're describing: compersion. (Or if you mean after you yourself have engaged in conversations with others, then it's RRE: Renewed Relationship Energy.)

Re:
"Does the primary partner (my husband) need to meet/befriend the 2nd partner?"

Not necessarily. But, if your husband and the 2nd partner feel okay about meeting each other, then it would probably be a good idea. It's easier to be jealous over someone if to you they have no face. At least that's my take on things ...

It's up to you; it depends on how strongly you feel about things.

Regards,
Kevin T.
 
Thanks for your responses!
I have not come across this RRE term ...or if I did I totally overlooked it. Will need to look into that more. Thanks so much.

Update! My husband has a date tomorrow. My goodness I'm the one who was into this and he's already going out with a lady. This may be an interesting week for me.
 
But the next day this man asked to see me before he left that evening for out of the country on a trip and so I told my husband but my husband became quite upset and read our message and felt this man was trying to pressure me to meet alone. I do not see it this way but I told my husband that if that is how he feels then I will not communicate any more with him. And thus ended that.

It was not possible to agree to meet up in separate cars, but in a very public space like a bookstore or coffee shop? So your husband could relax about "stranger alone with wife somewhere secluded" but you could still chat with the guy? So everyone could feel ok enough?

You guys are trying to stretch and grow out of previous comfort zones. Maybe you and husband could talk about how that "stretch" could happen in ways that are not always comfortable but not all the way out to the scary place.

I have noticed that since we started talking about all this stuff I have been way more passionate and close to him (my first question: IS THIS NORMAL TO FEEL THIS WAY TOWARDS HIM AFTER HAVING ENGAGED WITH CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHERS?)

Sounds like after talking to your husband intimately (mind intimacy, emotional intimacy) it spilled over into passion (body intimacy.)

IME, that's normal.


DOES THE PRIMARY PARTNER (MY HUSBAND) NEED TO MEET/BEFRIEND THE 2ND PARTNER? (I want to hear your own opinions/experiences with this as my husband first said he wants us to both meet each others partners first but I told him I did not feel I needed to meet each girl he talks with because what if after the first meeting he does not feel their relationship will go anywhere…

WHY does he want to meet each others partners? He wants to be sure things are clear and above board? Would a 5 min Skype do then? Is it something else bothering him? What?

On your end... Sounds like you might be willing to meet them but only after it is "something serious" -- you have no interest in meeting "casual people." Is that it?

Everyone is different. Which is why I think asking OTHER people what they do in their relationships isn't going to work here for YOU or HIM (or potentials) in your budding polyship network. You are all individuals with your own preferences, willingness, etc. Talk to EACH OTHER about what those are. Sort it out.

HTH!

Galagirl
 
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So I feel his reason for wanting to meet the partners first was so he knew who they were. But now that he is meeting a girl he's been talking with tomorrow he does not feel to worried. I told him it would be fair to meet if he wants me to after they've seen each other a few times. Him and I need to sit down tonight though and write down specific rules/expectations of our meets with people.
I wonder if it's harder or easier for men to find others to date. I feel like every guy that has contacted me has just wanted sex (despite specific statements on my profile that that is not what I'm seeking) or are wanting to cheat on their spouse with me. It sucks lol.

You're right gala girl about it depending on each person we meet as they may want to have us meet their other partners, etc.
 
Re: RRE (Renewed Relationship Energy) ... picture NRE (New Relationship Energy) spilling over into the older, established relationship. RRE isn't nearly as common a term as NRE, but I do hear RRE mentioned from time to time.

Re:
"I wonder if it's harder or easier for men to find others to date."

Usually it's much harder.

Re:
"I feel like every guy that has contacted me has just wanted sex or are wanting to cheat on their spouse with me."

Yeah, women will usually get that.
 
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