Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11)—Recent headlines involving John Edwards, Tiger Woods, David Letterman and even Rick Pitino locally bring about sobering statistics about love, marriage and infidelity.
Is your spouse tempted to cheat? And, if they do, can a marriage survive an affair?
WHAS11'S Rachel Platt talked with one local couple who said they still believe in love after betrayal.
Everything was good Sept. 7, 1964 when Cassie and George Soete said their “I do's,” but 20 years and six children later cracks in the foundation of marriage began to show.
George and Cassie Soete said there was a time when their marriage was left for dead, their marriage was gone and there were divorce papers.
George said he felt under-appreciated, bringing home and providing. Then opportunity presented itself in the form of a family friend.
George said he remembers when he thought he was going to cheat, but won’t recount all the details.
Cassie said she never thought infidelity would be on their plate.
An affair would tear this couple and their family apart.
George said the person made herself available and he agreed. He also said it was the worst mistake he ever made in his life.
Sally Connolly and John Turner are marriage therapists that are married to one another.
They said statistics show men are more likely to cheat in a marriage.
In general terms, Turner said, infidelity is more about sex for men. Men are more visual and less emotional.
On the higher side, about one in three men cheat. The number for women is lower and the motivation may be different.
Connolly said more often than not women cheat because they feel under-appreciated, unloved and are seeking a connection in a relationship.
No matter who cheats, both therapists said wait before you make any big decisions and give yourself time to think about it.
Cassie said when George was going to leave she thought “Wow, I am a single mom with six kids, how is that going to work?”
George did move out and was out the home for four and a half years.
Cassie said she was called a fool for not divorcing him and she continued on, raising their children and attending church
She said she believed when George found Christ he would find her, the white picket fence and the whole package.
Cassie and her children had given George a Bible and thought the book would cure him, they said that’s exactly what happened.
Each child wrote a message to their dad and George said something finally clicked when he read those messages and the Bible.
George did return home, but reclaiming those dreams and that happiness took time and work.
Cassie said she remembers telling George, “I am void of feeling, I don’t know how to feel.”
George said she would live to see the day she would forgive him, and she did.
That was 21 years ago, wedding vows have since been renewed, grandchildren have been born and new memories have been made.
George and Cassie now older, wiser and with a more practical view of marriage both said if they can love from a flat line, anyone can.
In September, George and Cassie will celebrate 46 years together.
Not all couples stay together after an affair and starting over can be devastating. Tonight on WHAS11 News 11 @ 11, you can see Tina’s story and why she said she may never trust men again.
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