Standing up for what's right cost me a friendship

2w ago1 min read

Had to end a 15 year friendship this week because my buddy kept making excuses for his behavior toward his wife. He'd come over complaining about her, putting her down in front of me and the guys. Called him on it multiple times but he wouldn't change. Finally told him I couldn't be around it anymore. A man respects his wife and takes responsibility for his actions. Losing the friendship hurt but I can't stand by and watch that. Honor means something even when it's hard.

11 comments215 views

Comments(11)

BBradRegular2w ago

Fifteen years is a long time. That took guts. Was it a gradual thing or did he finally cross a line you couldn't come back from?

LLucasRegular2w ago

That's the hardest part of the gentleman's code right there - knowing when to walk away. Sorry you had to learn that lesson with someone you valued.

EEdRegular2w ago

Man that's tough. I'm only six weeks into this dad thing but I already see how important it is to model what accountability looks like. Sorry you had to make that call.

BBradRegular2w ago

Man, that's rough but you did the right thing. A 15 year friendship is huge to let go but sometimes people show you who they are and you have to listen. How are you holding up with it?

SSam T.Regular2w ago

Respect for standing your ground on this. Easy to let things slide for the sake of keeping the peace, but that's not who you are.

RRuben A.Regular2w ago

Hard call, but sounds like he needed someone to tell him the truth instead of just agreeing with him. Better to lose a friendship than keep enabling bad behavior toward his wife.

KKent R.Regular2w ago

That's tough but you did the right thing. Can't be friends with someone who disrespects their wife like that. Your daughter will see you standing up for what matters.

MMike R.New Dad2w ago

15 years is a long time to walk away from, but you can't fix someone who doesn't want to change. Takes real character to do what you did.

JJamesRegular2w ago

This took courage. I had to do something similar a few years back and it hurt for a while, but I felt cleaner after. Your kids are watching how you handle this too - that's a lesson worth teaching.

SSam T.Regular2w ago

Sometimes you gotta let people go even when there's history. Takes more strength than staying friends with someone you can't respect.

NNate B.Regular2w ago

That's the kind of decision that probably stings but is also really important for your kids to see you make. Props for not just letting it slide.