Originally Posted by
butterfly2013 
I can relate. They must think "But he will be different with me," even though they have shown their cheating, lying, and manipulating ways---all on top of the alcoholism, of course. I just don't understand my ex or his wife and I never will.
AXH's GF definitely thought she would be able to help AXH change, told me as much. She also told me that no guy would ever treat her the way I said AXH treated me (which she didn't really believe either, except I caused AXH to be angry), because HER parents raised HER to be a smart strong woman. *rolleyes eyes* That belief got her beat up by her 'wonderful guy'. For which I am sorry, but at the same time..... I really wanted to tell her "I told you. I warned you."
There's a thread on SR somewhere that talks about 'So you think you're special' or to that effect, that talks about that thought process.