I was married for 20ish years.

I devoted myself to my profession, college degree, 8 years of formal study thereafter. I worked hard and was successful. I was the breadwinner.

She got a degree and worked 1, 2 days per week. For 20 years. She took care of our home and I did my part. I worked 60-hour weeks and helped out around the house. Literally everything outside was my job, garage, lawn, and that was cool with me as it was my role.

We raised our kids together. My parents helped us out, gave us down payments on our houses, bought us cars. Her family did nothing. Whatever, who cares. We were a family.

She was a lovely person but was basically asexual. The notion that her husband had sexuality, and that she was in any way obligated to address it, never occurred to her. I begged, pleaded, again and again with her to do something to be sexual. Nothing.

We are divorced now. She quickly hooked up with a more wealthy guy. They hang out with my kids and my dog.

More than half of the wealth I have worked hard to accumulate is hers now. I pay her $500 per week in child support for my 17-year-old daughter.

We get along well which is great. I have learned to let go of the injustice.

Since breaking up, I have been in another relationship. It has had its up and downs. I have experienced the Duluth Model first hand. Tens of thousands of dollars, new place to live, finally expired intervention order based on false accusations.

Here I am. Broken. I have a job and live life daily. But I am fucking broken.

Can I talk about this? No. I am a man and nobody gives a shit. Anyway, I press on, as we do. But I understand why 4/5 suicide victims are male.

I think my point is that it can tough to be a dude.

My best to you all.