The opposite of an MLC - how it's done.

I recently posted a question to the midlife crisis topic, this is it below:

I am trying to understand my own feelings as they are very different from the typical list of signs and symptoms of an MLC, but the timing (my age) is perfect.

I am a 50 year old man married for 20 years, my wife is 45. Several years ago, we moved ourselves and our children from an oppressively crowded urban area to a lovely rural community, and in the process retired all of our debt, and most of our stress.

My wife now works only occasionally, and spends most of her free time exercising and preparing for her part time job as a dance instructor. As a result, she has become in better shape and more radiantly beautiful than I have ever seen her before.

My emotional desire for her has gone from below-normal (back in the days of our previous hectic urban life) to a level I can only describe as astronomical. My physical interest in her has skyrocketed as well, and she seems to enjoy keeping up with my 'needs' and increased 'creativity.'

I have placed pictures of her on my desk at work, something I have not done in years. I write her silly letters via email, think about her day and night, and have a new collection of wallet-size photos to take out when I need a 'fix.' _______________________________________________________________________________________

I wanted to know if what I am experiencing is a form of an MLC.

The first answer I rec'd was that NO, this is not an MLC.

I agree.

Well then, what is it? What are the feelings I have been experiencing?

I believe the answer is in the photo. It is a photo of my wife.

(I know the photo is small and not easy to see. That is a belly dancer's sword she is holding above her head.)

I am a 50 year old male, in excellent shape, doing very well in my career and other interests. I am very active in outdoor acitivities, and serving in the military.

However, I am still a 50 year old male.

How many men my age have a wife that looks like that? (The photo was taken 3 days ago)

She is not a 'much younger woman.' (We are 5 years apart in age)

She has given birth naturally to big, beautiful babies.

We are not wealthy enough for her to have never worked, she's never had spa treatments, we don't have a maid.

What does she do?

She has dedicated herself to being physically attractive, to always being more beautiful, more in-shape, more sexy than any woman, anywhere.

It's a goal. She does it for herself. She does it for me. She does it for us.

It works.

She exercises for hours each day. Eats healthy, never smokes, drinks, never even stays up late. She does not asks me to spend money I don't absolutely have to spend, we have no debt. We drive 'gently worn' older cars.

Nothing to show off, no fancy clothes, no jewelry, rare vacations.

We lived in a too-small house until we could not stand it anymore. We moved into a paid-off house in an area that has no prestigious zip code, no fancy cars parked in the driveway.

But at 45, she can entertain a night-club crowd with her ethnic dance.

And she can make me long for the end of each and every work day.

Edited to include: Traditionally I have been the 'tough-guy' type (law enforcement background, current military), and I have most often remained silent about many of my feelings.

Up until now.

Recently, I have learned how to tell my wife how she makes me feel whenever she makes me feel that way.

Wow.

Edited to include: live out your fantasies. As long as they do not include pain or any person other than your spouse, they are problably healthy. Messy, but healthy.