In our younger days cheating would have definitely been a dealbreaker but three decades in I can’t say that would happen. I’d be more likely to walk over an emotional affair than a physical one. At the same time I can hold a grudge like nobody’s business so it would take a whole hell of a lot for me to forgive. *Knock wood* let’s hope I’m never put into the position to find out.
I hear what you are saying. I've been married 18 years. For me, I actually would feel better about an "emotional affair" than a physical one. Crossing the physical line means potentially putting ME in danger (STDs), as well as making me question why he needed to step out for that kind of gratification, because we have NO issues in that department, and never have. I still don't fully grasp what an emotional affair is, but it seems to me to be the same as a close friendship, of which my husband has several with females. Completely platonic, but he just tends to be close to his female friends and I have no problem with it. I know all these women very well and don't feel at all bothered that he has close friendships with women where he discusses things going on in his life. He has female friendships at work, but he is very adamant about keeping those VERY professional because he is a military officer and could jeopardize his entire career by crossing any lines there. If a woman at work ever started flirting with him, he'd put a stop to it right then and there.
What exactly is an emotional affair anyway?