Famecrawler
NY Times ‘Vows’ Story: Carol Anne Riddell, John Partilla Cheaters Who Wed?
The New York Times has caused a stir with a controversial story of two married parents who left their spouses for each other, written up in the Wedding column “Vows”. The newspaper (and newly married couple Carol Anne Riddell and John Partilla) are taking heat in the media because of the story. Some are calling the story “revisionist history” but I just think it’s TACKY.
Is adultery really no big deal? I understand that it happens but since when do affairs and cheating spouses need to be glorified? The New York Times “Vows” article reads more like a bad romance novel.
Dig, if you will, one excerpt from NY Times profile of Carole Anne Riddell and John Partilla:
Ms. Riddell said she remembered crying in the shower, asking: “Why am I being punished? Why did someone throw him in my path when I can’t have him?”
Excuse me while I gag. The story paints a very cheery picture of two people who broke up two families but “everything is fine” now? I didn’t buy it when I read the article and I’m not surprised by the reaction of Ms. Riddell’s ex-husband, who spoke to Forbes about the story.
Bob Ennis, former husband of Carol Anne Riddell, weighed in on the NY Times story in Forbes:
Although his ex-wife said she and her new husband volunteered to tell their story to the “Vows” column partly “for our kids’ sakes,” Ennis says he is angry primarily because of the effect he sees this episode having on those same kids. “You could easily try to brush this off as a kind of self-evidence, a self-serving act by a couple of narcissistic people who for whatever reason have a need to try to persuade people, except for the fact that there are lots of children involved,” he says. “These kids watch TV, they read newspapers a little bit and certainly they surf the internet.”
Carol Anne Riddell, John Partilla cheated on their spouses and broke up their families. Do they have to talk it up in the New York Freakin’ Times? I’m beyond sad for the children involved because it’s not fair to them.
Talk to me! What do you think about The New York Times “Vows” story about Carol Anne Riddell and John Partilla?
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7 Comments
Heather commented on Dec 21 10 at 9:08 pmYour blog is the first I’ve heard of the story but I’ll be going over to the NYT to read it now. There is never, ever an excuse for cheating on your spouse. Marriage vows should be taken seriously.
If you are unhappy in your marriage then talk to your partner, work on things. And if things can’t be worked out (any type of violence is inexcusable) then separate and perhaps go down the divorce path.
An affair not only destroys the marriage, it can destroy the emotional stability of a child. Kids grow up thinking marriage is disposable.
I am divorced and remarried. Together my husband and I have six children. Each of our six have been impacted in different ways from the divorce but all six of our kids have been touched in negative ways.
My heart now is to serve the StepMom and help her gain emotional stability in a role that is often very challenging.
This new couple from the NYT’s is going to have a rocky road to say the least blending their families given the way they came together and in such a public way. I would assume that each set of children will have a lot of resentment for their new stepparent. And kids are the leading cause of divorce in remarriages (note: Kids are not responsible for divorce). Issues around the blending of parenting styles and kids causes a high level of stress in remarriages.
My heart aches for the kids involved and for the ex-spouses. Healing can and will occur but it will take time and I believe in that time the newlyweds will both come to the conclusion (albeit silently due to pride) that it wasn’t worth it. Let’s see if they are still together in 5 years.
KC commented on Dec 21 10 at 11:20 pmWho cares? This happens all the time. I know a couple of my friends in the military who are married now but they had an affair while the guy was married to someone else. Should they have continued their marriages to other people if they weren’t in love?
Cheating isn’t right but if people would stop getting married to people they don’t even like, it wouldn’t happen.
janet commented on Dec 22 10 at 1:22 amWho cares KC..well I think God and a lot of people who have character, integrity, honor, honesty, love and faithfulness. Cheating is never right, and you have no idea that the reason these people, RIdell and jpartilla cheated was because they didn’t like their spouses …it often has nothing to do with the people who get left but everything to do with the problems inside the person who cheats. It was cruel what they did in more ways than one. Cheating is never right. Cheating physically, emotionally, mentally – however people want to wash it – is not ever right.
J commented on Dec 22 10 at 1:31 pmThis is crazy…who does this! People cross each others paths all the time… the leave your family because you “fell in love” with a complete stranger is beyond me. I have to agree with Janet cheating is cheating. Apparently these are two selfish individuals who not only didnt care about the kids involved let alone the ONE THEY CHOSE to MARRY! HUH whos to say they wont be on this path again with someone else. If they left their first husband/wife they’ll do again. To even think this made headlines…tskkkk
Dana commented on Dec 22 10 at 4:30 pmMarriage is about weathering all forms of storms and temptations. It’s about love and the faith.
Thus the vow, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others.
That last little tidbit leaves me inclined to think that temptation was taken into consideration and the vow is to FORSAKE all others, even those you may feel are as Carol ‘gag’ put it, your soul mate.
It isn’t forsaking ALL others until someone better comes along.
I do believe what we dish out comes back, and in time, these two will reap what they’ve sewn, I only hope there children dont catch any of the backlash.
Kevin commented on Dec 22 10 at 4:39 pmYou’ve got a problem on several levels: Riddell and Partilla found chemistry with each other, then all of a sudden their marriages were not looking so good. (I’m sure like in all relationships there are problems.) Then they crossed the line when they declared their love for each other. Instead of staying away and putting some positive energy into what they already had, they gave in to this selfishness. Just because you feel a connection with someone doesn’t mean that you should go running off.
The next level was seeking vindication through telling their “love story” in the New York Times. If these were really nice people who got sucked into the undertow of love, then why didn’t they consider the feelings of the exes and their children? Talk about shoving their feelings in everyones faces? I think keeping quiet may have been the best idea.
And then finally; the Times for printing this tasteless story. This was a bad idea all the way around, and hasn’t stopped. Looks like this couple will get the attention they wanted. You cant catch a skunk, but it’s not worth it.
C commented on Dec 28 10 at 4:25 pmCommenters – before everyone gets their panties in a ruffle, read the story first. Riddell and Partilla didn’t have an affair. They left their spouses for each other, but they weren’t having a physical relationship prior to that. It’s in the story.
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