The late, great Hank Williams post-humorously gave us this wonderful song about a cheating lover. A classic song that just about everyone can relate to. I would venture to say that just about everyone reading this has been cheated on by a mate or *gasp* cheated on someone themselves.

I HOPE that whatever cheating shenanigans happened in your life weren’t within a marriage or another form of commitment. Regardless of where you are in your life, cheating hurts. But add to that a commitment or the understanding you and your mate are supposed to be FOREVER, it turns from hurt to blinding pain.

When I was in my early 20’s a boyfriend cheated on me. I remember how it felt. I remember the late nights wondering what I did wrong, the fear of any cooties I might have received, the embarrassment that I didn’t keep my man happy and satisfied. The list goes on and on. As much as it hurt back then, I can’t imagine what it would be like with my spouse.

I look at my husband. The man I trust more than anyone on Earth. The person I’ve entrusted my heart and soul to and I wonder how I could go on if he were to cheat. Everyday thousands of husband and wives are cheated upon. Everyday they have to get up, take care of children, a house, go to work, interact with people all the while knowing that the person who was charged with protecting, loving and caring for their heart and soul is getting all up in someone else’s *ahem* heart and soul, if you know what I mean. They lay in bed at night, sleeping with the enemy. My heart goes out to them.

There’s the long standing question - Could you forgive your spouse for cheating? What if it was “just physical” or “a one time mistake?” Call me unforgiving, but no. I couldn’t. Before we even entered into our marriage, we agreed that infidelity was unforgivable. I understand that not everyone out there agrees with that, but that’s how we both feel in the confides of our marriage.

But why do spouses cheat? It’s no surprise that the reasons for cheating differ between men and woman. I scoured the internet looking for commonly sited reasons why men and women cheat. And let me tell you I’ve found some doozies out there. So many good excuses reasons in fact, that next week I’ll have two posts dedicated to the topic. One on the reasons woman cheat and one on why men cheat. Both will include tip and hints to keeping your marriage stronger to combat these so called reasons.