Governor Sanford’s Emotional Affair
Just when we thought we had seen it all with the cheating political spouse syndrome- along comes Mark Sanford with his new twist to an old story. The first part follows the same tired plot- he cheats, gets caught by his wife who tells him to stop and she will forgive him; but he keeps it up on the sly and gets outed. He then fesses up during a hastily arranged press conference, praising his wife and quoting the bible and other great men who have foolishly given in to their weaknesses. Then, the story takes a new turn…
The Governor’s wife kicks him out, goes on a vacation with her kids, tells the media in her own statement that his political career is not her concern- and offers some carefully crafted words regarding her need to set the right example for her sons. Not once has she been seen with him in public since the story broke. When she has made an appearance, she has been dressed casually, going about her day/vacation with her children around her. She has appeared composed, cool and completely comfortable in her skin. Her body language seems to be saying,” I have nothing to be ashamed of,” and nothing she could say would ring truer than that. How refreshing is this lovely, educated, intelligent, devoted political spouse and stay at home mom. She seems to be able to compartmentalize her feelings to the extent that she is able to be clear whose problem this mess is- and what she will and will not be a party to supporting/fixing/covering up/enabling, etc.
How does she do this? My gut tells me that Ms. Sanford has been dealing with these feeling for a lot longer than this story has been out there. Her gabby hubby has waxed on about his inappropriate dealings with many women, and has shared that he has been in love with this other woman for quite some time. My guess is that his wife has sensed all of this, and that even before she had proof, she knew…As a “good Christian,” she has said that she wants to work towards forgiveness, but he certainly isn’t making that any easier for her. Ask ANY cheated on woman what is worse- it’s just about the sex, or he has feelings for her. Want to guess what their virtually unanimous response would be? Yup- it’s a death knell to their relationship if he has an emotional attachment to the other woman. Sex is just sex; everything else is much bigger- especially to women.
Any hope for forgiveness and reconciliation began to dim when the Gov began pouring forth his deep feelings for his Argentinean “soul mate.” It seemed as though he was unable to stop himself from barring his deepest feelings for her to anyone who would listen. Confession may be good for the soul, but it can be a destroyer of marriages when every little thought and deed is broadcast.
What is worse than a man cheating on you? Having that man fall in love with the woman he is cheating with.