I'm Glad My Husband Had An Affair

Emma Kenny reveals how being cheated on changed her life – for the better

- Kristina Beanland

What would you do if your partner had an affair? Scream and shout? Change the locks? Throw away his clothes? well, while that would be understandable, I thank my husband for what he did. Because now I’m happier than ever…

I was in my early twenties when I met Joe*, an engineer, through mutual friends. Back then, young and carefree, we’d spend our weekends dancing in nightclubs and recovering on the sofa the next day.

Ours wasn’t the classic storybook romance; there were no grand gestures or declarations of undying love. But we made each other laugh, and when our friends began to settle down, we thought we should too, and got married in May 2001.

Something missing

Less than a year later, I was thrilled to discover I was pregnant. Our son Tyde was born in November 2002, followed by Evan in January 2005. Our family soon fell into a steady routine. I worked part time as a therapist, balancing household chores with the school and nursery run.

But while I was happy, I couldn’t help feeling something was missing. Joe and I didn’t have date nights, my heart didn’t skip a beat when I looked at him and the intimacy between us was disappearing. I tried to tell myself this was normal – after all, we were way past the honeymoon phase – but in January 2007 I found myself confiding in my best friend, Sarah*.

We’d met at the school gates and had grown close. She’d often spend time at our house – for dinner parties or play dates with the children – so if anyone could comment on my relationship, it was her.