Need Advice

E., if you are still legally married, you need to resolve that issue first. You made a legal committment to him and a committment before God to be his wife. If your marriage is truly over, find an attorney and begin divorce proceedings. So that if the new guy is truly your soul mate, you all can start your life together the right way.
As always, take everything to God in prayer.

Personally- I think you should take a break from all men and find yourself first. You do not need a man to make things better. You mentioned prayers. Pray on it. Ask God to help give you wisdom but more importantly for you to feel his presence.

E.- A few thing I think you need to consider. Does Man #2 love your children? I think they come first. Will he never leave you? How will your husband react? Is there a possibility of violence or any harm to you or your children? That is most important. If you know you will be okay, then I would go for it. I am religious, but I also believe that God gives humans there own free will and we make mistakes. Hopefully you have good reasons to end your commitment, not just that man #2 is exciting. Can you support yourself and kids if you end up alone? The reason I say go for it is that years before I met my husband I broke up with someone who I thought was my soulmate (because I was afraid to get hurt when I went back to school, which was away from him) and I regret it. As much as I love my husband, I regret not taking that chance and live wondering "what if?" The guy I prematurely broke up with never married, but is with someone 30+ years his elder. If you feel that this will be your "Happily Ever After", don't live wondering "What if?"

You have to follow your heart. If he makes you happy you have to go for it! Your husband has to understand if he loves you he should let you go. Be honest above all with him!!
Barb R.

Be up front with your husband. Do not lie to him.

is you husband an understanding man, if so take him out to dinner or somewhere and explain to him that you are not in love with him anymore and you want a divorce. That's one option. Two have you explained to you soul mate what is going on? Three have your soul mate been around your children and if so how do they feel about you being with him not there father. You have to look at it all kind of ways.

E.,

I know that some of the other posters said to speak with your husband about this, but I wanted to caution you about doing so... As I do not know the details of your husband's lock up, we can't advise you - is he a dangerous person or someone that would hurt you or your kids if he found out you were <technically> cheating on him? Just think it through and make sure you and your kids are safe if you choose to tell your husband.

I don't really feel I know enough about your situation and history to give you any advice, and I can't say that I've been in your situation either. I will just suggest that you trust your instincts on this one, and it sounds like you need to sit down and sort everything out.

You might want to write out the pros and cons to each potential future situation. Think about what you would need to do if you decided to continue in your marriage, and what you would need to do if you were to continue your newer relationship instead. Maybe list out the priorities you have. I'm sure the decision will effect your children as well - determine how you feel they might react either way. Don't forget to factor in which direction your heartstrings are being pulled - that matters too. You don't say how long your husband was locked away for, but if it has been a long time, then he may have been changed by the experience as well. Has he learned from whatever mistake he made that led to him being there? That would be an important factor, in my opinion.

Then look at what you've written about each possibility - perhaps even have a trusted friend look at what you've written too, to get an outsider perspective. Sometimes it is hard to see things when you are right in the center of it all. Then follow your instincts on what's right for you, your children, and the future.

Best of luck!

I agree with Sheila. I would definately evaluate both men. How well do you know the new guy? How is he with your kids? How was their father with them? I would be very cautious about jumping in with any other man so quickly. Is it possible for you to stand on your own for a while? Will your husband be open to you being with someone else? Does he know about the other guy already? You need some kind of support system in place before you face this all on your own. Good luck to you. : )