I came out to my parents!

Well, if you'd seen a couple of posts of mine last week, I was considering coming out to my parents this weekend. And, well, I did!

They were up at their cottage - as usual for the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend - and my wife had gone up too with our girls (it was her weekend to have them) and I went up as well. We had our 'Thanksgiving dinner' on Saturday - which consisted of bbq'd chicken as opposed to turkey, but whatever - and the kids had suggested that we all talk about something that we are thankful for. So we did some of that before dinner.

Then after the girls were in bed, and it was just my mom and dad and my (ex) wife and I in the living room, I started out by telling my parents how 'thankful' I was for them - especially how supportive they have been the past several months both for me and my wife. And I carried on to say that it was only fair that they know the whole truth about why we had split up, and yet why we seemed to be getting along so well. And I continued to tell them that I was gay. I also told them about my addiction that had developed as a result of my not dealing with my feelings, and how that had certainly contributed to our split.

They were surprised, but very relieved to know. They had actually wondered if either my wife or I were gay, because it was one of the few possibilities that they could think of where we'd end up being as close and supportive of each other as we have. Well - sure enough! They were right.

They were also sad that they hadn't known at the time how difficult life had become for the two of us, and that maybe they'd have been able to help. I don't think that is the case, but that's in the past anyway.

The next day, and again today, life just carried on. I'm sure they'll talk to each othe about it now that they're alone. Nothing much else was said.

So other than my sister, and one other close friend - I'm probably done for a while. I don't think anyone else needs to know - at least not for now. Yay for me!!!! (!)

 

LOL! Thanks Wade! It IS good to see you in here!

Thanks everyone. It really is a big deal - even at 36 - to have this kind of conversation with your parents! But it isn't impossible. And in the end, everyone can feel better. That was the case for us, anyway.

 

It is a huge relief for me - and for them. They were really struggling with our separation because we'd never told them the 'why'. So now they know, and it really does clear the air.