Midlife fling

July

So here we go again: another man with a midlife crisis who happens to be a public figure.

South Carolina governor Mark Sanford can’t stop talking about his “soul mate” from Argentina, and made matters worse recently when he said he’ll try to fall back in love with his wife.

AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain

Here’s one of those stories that elicit a reaction from everyone who hears about it.

This time around, we’ve also got a wife who’s refusing to stand by her husband’s side. Can’t help but admire her for that.

So what do you think? If you meet your “soul mate” and you’ve got kids, a spouse and responsibilities to an entire state, what do you do?

For a deeper look at Sanford’s mental state, check out today’s story in the Miami Herald.

But here’s what I wonder: Do you think there is such a thing as a soul mate? Or is this a convenient label for the object of a middle-aged man’s fling?

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 at 2:01 pm by Linda Lombroso.
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5 Responses to “Midlife fling”

Glory Be July 4th, 2009 at 11:29 am
I’m sure his wife was a “soul mate” at one time, too. I think the statistics show that 70% of men cheat on their spouses and 50% of women do.

I think soul mates exist, but given the odds, it’s likely people don’t marry them because they have married before the soul mate was encountered. In other words, soul mates are not easily found and not so easy to recognize.

As one who is a divorced middle-aged woman, I think doing things dishonestly renders the “soul mate” title nothing more than a rationalization for the gov’s impolitic behavior.
Steve C. July 6th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I would say something , but it probably wouldnt be well received.
Linda Lombroso July 6th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Steve—Go for it. I’m curious now.
Steve C. July 7th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Ok Linda here goes:

Well, it takes 2 to tango. The gal is just as wrong as the guy. If she was to believe this story about soul mate oh well. To go on public tv and say that when u are married with kids is just stoooopit (sic- on purpose)
She should divorce him for being an @ss.

On the flip side, women do this as well, but I find it intriguing that only the male stories get most of the play…

Glory Be: as for your percentage… on 70 and 50 that adds up to 120.. Stats on cheating will always be skewed why? because the smart ones wont and shouldnt admit it.

Now if love isnt involved and its just a toss in the hay, not that I would do it, BUT I dont think thats cheating.

Cheating is giving your love and heart to someone else other than your spouse.. since he claims this gal is his soul mate, he cheated and there should be no repairing the dynamic. kick him to the curb to be with his soulmate.

Oh and its not cheating if you fantasize about it either no matter how many women’s mags ma say it is and drop the guy that you catch fantasizing about another woman.

Because women do it too.. and in a heart beat if a super hunk/movie star/jock/whatever were to smile and wink, try and tell me you wouldnt get all hot and bothered and think in your head.. if he asks i’ll say yes.. because you know you would.. same if it was reveresed with a guy..

ok i said it..
Glory Be July 12th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
That was 70% of 100% of men and 50% of 100% of women, Steve.

I agree that fantasizing is not cheating. However, I think once a spouse is confiding, entertaining and entertained by another, cheating is in full swing. And yes, a toss in the hay IS an ephemeral relationship outside of a committed relationship and it is cheating if you need to lie about it.

I think we can safely identify flying to Argentina for the purpose of daily face-to-face “conversation” with his consort constitutes cheating.

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