Mother-of-three shares her shock after she supported her husband through cancer battle... only for him to reveal he wants an OPEN relationship

  • Woman shared the moment her husband said he wanted to date others
  • His announcement came after she supported him through cancer battle 
  • In remission, he joined a gym and overhauled his wardrobe  
  • He dropped bombshell that he wanted an open relationship while in a cafe 
  • His wife was 'numb' but said she later came round to the idea of polyamory

By Steve Trask For Daily Mail

Published: 19:13 EST, 6 November 2016 | Updated: 03:20 EST, 7 November 2016

Having supported her husband through a difficult battle with cancer, a mother-of-three has spoken of her shock when he suggested the couple move into an open relationship.

In a heartfelt anonymous letter, the woman, who is believed to be Australian, described the wrenching moment her partner of 17 years told her he wanted to sleep with others.

The bombshell came nine months into her husband's remission from cancer as he joined a gym, overhauled his wardrobe and generally indulged his new lust for life.

Bombshell: A mother-of-three has described the heartwrenching moment her husband of 17 years said he wanted an open relationship (stock photo)

The woman, who is in her 40s, told Fairfax Media how she broke down in tears as her husband made the suggestion in a quiet riverside café.

'He held my hand. He told me he loved me. He told me he still loved having sex with me,' she said.

'And then he dropped the most extraordinary bombshell of all - He wanted to open our marriage and bring other lovers into it.

'Not just him but me as well.'

Life-changing: Despite her initial reluctance, the woman said having an open relationship had made her love her husband 'more than ever' (stock photo)

In the weeks that followed the woman felt numb as she grappled with the revelation that her life partner wanted to sleep with others.

WHAT IS POLYAMORY?

Polyamory is the practice of being in a relationship with more than one romantic partners. 

It is different from polygamy – the practice of having multiple wives or husbands – in that it is typically just a romantic involvement with others, not marriage (which is illegal in Australia).

In recent years it has become more popular and accepted, with researchers estimating about five per cent of Americans are currently involved in polyamorous relationships.

There are no similar statistics for Australia.

But the more she looked into the concept of polyamory, the more she realised it could have its merits.

The pair spoke to other polyamorous couples and slowly started to flirt and date outside their relationship.

Eventually, they brought new lovers into their relationship and even introduced them to their children.

The excitement and desire that came from having other lovers made their marriage more intimate than ever, the woman said.

'I reflect on how our lives have changed in the past year,' she told Fairfax. 

'I still love my husband more than ever. The intensity is made stronger by the delirious energy of new loves.

'There are no binding promises or years of commitment but there is fun and startling honesty. I've found my own vulnerability and it still terrifies me.'

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