Originally Posted by TM875

Personally I HATE the "once he cheated he's gone" feelings. That's complete ridiculousness. If you loved a person (as much as many of you girls/guys claim), then why would one slight indiscretion turn you against them? Would you leave your mate if s/he lost all of your savings on a night of gambling? What if he was speeding and wrecked the car (and came out okay)? How about if, instead of keeping that priceless topper to your wedding cake, he and his buddies split it up? Are these instances worth leaving him for?

It's absolutely crazy to assume that one person will be totally and completely connected to you, 100% of the time, forever and ever. Most likely, there will be waxes and wanes in the romantic connection between you and your mate (ladies, don't pretend you've never thought about doing something with a friend or co-worker). And in this lies part of the reason why there's practically a 60% divorce rate in the United States - there's too high of expectations of human perfection.

Okay, maybe our thread starter "cheated" by common definition. Maybe he was attracted to said friend, maybe he wasn't. Hell, maybe he enjoyed screwing around with her more than his current girlfriend. So what? He did not go out and do these actions to expressivly hurt his girlfriend. His "love" for her will not decrease because he spent one night with another chick. More than that, it does not diminish the relationship that they have together, while together! In the end, as long as he gives 100% to the girlfriend while he is with her or committing some relationship-based action, then her should be forgiven for mistakes, fallacies, poor choices, or vice-based actions.