Hi, new to the group as well and am in a similar situation. When you say you love your husband very much I completely understand what you mean. Here is my story...My husband was talking online to someone he believed was 18 and changed their age and then curiosity got the best of him and he drove over and although he did not stop or go inside he was still charged with traveling to meet a minor. I do not make excuses for him, he messed up and made a very bad decision that unfortunately has ruined his life but I have stuck beside him. Maybe if the circumstances were different my decision would be different but I choose to believe that everyone makes mistakes and that they do not define who you are. That being said I was very hurt, angry, and embarrassed at first. Who am I kidding 3 years later I still find myself feeling that way some days. At first not many knew of his arrest but as soon as the sting was released on the news there was no more hiding it from the world. This made things very hard for me. Not only did people question me but then I felt the sting of judgement like why was I standing by him and treated me like I had done something wrong as well. People I spoke to regularly didn't want anything to do with me and luckily our families and a few friends have supported us this whole time. My husband decided not to take a plea deal and go through trial and there I was at every hearing and throughout the whole trial itself. I remember the last day of trial thinking maybe there was a chance the jury wouldn't convict him but when they read the guilty verdict I became numb. I promised myself in the beginning that I would never let anyone in the court room see me cry. I walked out of the courtroom and into the parking lot and then I broke down, luckily it was raining. My husband was sentenced the minimum of 18 months in prison here in FL followed by 3 years probation. With time served and time for good behavior he was only in prison for 1 year. That was the longest year of my life. I worked 3 jobs to support my son and I while he was away and tried to visit him as much as I could, which wasn't often. He was released from prison on Christmas Day last year. It's been 6 long months of him being home and between his probation rules and having to move because of his SO living requirements,I have to say it's been a very long road. Some days I think I'm not strong enough to deal with all of this. Everywhere I go I feel like everyone is looking at him and knows my husband is a SO. Many days I'm so angry at him for making a bad decision that not only ruined his life but also effected our family as well. Some days I don't even think about it, we go on with our normal day to day and it's like nothing ever happened. I will say that throughout this whole ordeal we have learned to communicate better. He's been more open with talking to me about how he's feeling since he's been going to SO therapy. My best advice to you and your husband is to communicate with each other. When you feel yourself getting angry, take a time out. When things get tough, which they will do not take it out on each other. I'm still learning myself how to deal with this situation, there are good and bad days but i promise you CAN get through it.

Sorry for rambling but hopefully at least you won't feel like you're the only one in this type of situation.

My situation is still so new to us but I think you have hit every feeling I've had right on the head. I read your story last night, and let it sink in before responding but I can't thank you enough for sharing. I already feel so much better about me and my husband. Im trying to ignore what has happened but I can push it aside at times to be happy. My husband is on house arrest so thankfully we still get to see him. But I'm glad I joined this group. Thanks again so much!!!