When do you know it's time to kiss a friendship goodbye?

The last 11 or so months have been quite eventful to say the least. My wife and I got married, went on our honeymoon (our first time traveling by plane and outside our home state), and we recently bought a condo.

While it's certainly been an exciting period in my life, it's also been the most stressful by far. I find myself edgier than ever. Closing on the condo took a lot longer than we expected and was mentally, physically, and emotionally draining.

I don't know if it's any coincidence that within the 11-month span we've been married, I've gotten into heated arguments with my 3 closest friends, all of whom I've known for 15 or more years. It seems the arguments have debilitated the friendships to such a degree that I doubt all 3 will survive.

I guess when you're under a lot of stress, it's not as easy to hold your emotions in check. The other contributing factor may be that I no longer have a lot in common with any of the three. While I recently got married and have no kids, two of the guys don't even have girlfriends, and the other is married but with 2 kids.

We've had spats in the past, but now that I'm married, it just feels different. I recognize that perhaps these friendships have run their course and that trying to keep them humming is an exercise in futility.

I feel that I am ready to let go if that's what is meant to be. I firmly believe people come into your life to serve a certain purpose. Once that has been accomplished, it is time to soldier on.

I care about these guys, but I am finding it harder to relate to them these days. I just finished having a heated argument with one who hung up in my face because he took offense to something I said. It wasn't the first time he has hung up in my face, though. I forgave him for doing it the first time about 2 years ago, but I refuse to be disrespected that way more than once. He and I are on thin ice, and even if he apologizes, I may not accept it.

I guess my wife and I are better off hanging out with people in the same life stage as us -- those who are married with no kids.

Do friendships begin to crumble once you're married?

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