How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?

Okay readers, I am asking you all for help. Yes this is drama and has more twist and turns than the average soap opera. Unfortunately it is also my life, so here goes. My marriage is on the rocks and I want to know how to save it. I have been married for six years to a wonderful woman. Our relationship has always been different to say the least and never easy. Let me start at the beginning and let you all decide for yourselves. I am sure some of you will say that the two of us are better off apart, but love is crazy and so am I.

I met the most amazing girl in 1997. The chemistry between the two of us was electric from the start. Her name was Cheri, and all though I had no idea at the time, she was destined to become my wife. The catch at the time was this. We both felt the same magical connection for each other, but we had completely different intentions. Cheri was madly in love and ready to commit. I wanted great sex with no attachment. We stayed together for about three months before I broke her heart. Yes I take full responsibility for that time period. I was an asshole plain and simple. Out of those few memorable months we produced our son who is now almost 10.

In 2000, we got back together, and settled down. We were married on August 29, 2001. We made a great tem. It was the two of us against the world, and nothing could stop us. Except me, screwing things up. Being young and stupid, I had a habit of hiding facts from Cheri in the misguided belief that I was protecting her. If we were late paying a bill one month I wouldn't tell her thinking that I would just catch up and she would never have to worry. That sort of thing. Little petty bullshit that wears away trust in a marriage.

Over time (nearly 6 years), I caused her more pain than any woman should have to go through and still be sane. I admit my faults, and regret them terribly. Anyway I FINALLY got my act together and realized that Cheri is the person I want to grow old with and who I love completely. Unfortunately, She was tempted by my problems and had an affair. It only lasted a few weeks and then the guy told her (basically) that he was just using her for sex. So this brings us to the present.

My wife has been completely up front with me about this other guy. She claims that she wants to try to work things out between us, and is just needs time to refall in love with me. She says that I am now the person she needed me to be all along, but she still has feelings for this other guy. Basically, she has ad her heart broken and does not know what to do emotionally. She loves me, but doesn't like me. Make sense?

Now I know you all are cussing me out for being a horrible husband and saying that I deserved to be cheated on. I AGREE. I was awful. But Cheri is worth keeping. I was just too stupid to realize that until it was too late. She is a wonderful person. No one makes me feel the way she does. I would die for this woman. I want to put her on a pedestal and make up for everything that I have done to her. I want to work out our differences and become a stronger couple. I just don't know where to begin. I can't eat and I can't sleep. It is nearly two in the morning, and I am sick with guilt and worry. She is asleep in bed ten feet away and all I want to do is hold her and tell her everything will be okay. What do I do to save this marriage? I need this woman. She completes me.