7 signs your partner is not in love with you

Many people mistake initial connection and infatuation with love which is why many relationship break up faster than they are formed. This four letter word means different things to different people but can be demonstrated. Inspired by All Women Stalk, here are a few signs you aren’t really in love:

1. You are embarrassed by your partner in public: You do not like to step out in public with your partner and are constantly embarrassed by anything they do or say when you both go out for an event . If you truly love your partner, you’ll be more amused than embarrassed at them.

2. You have to keep convincing yourself you like that person: You can care for the opposite sex in a deep and personal way but it doesn’t mean you are in-love with this person. Anyone in this situation will always try to convince themselves they are really in love using different means with hope it’ll really be true.

3. Do you now find annoying their once cute habits?: This is a clear sign you were infatuated with your partner. They haven’t changed, it’s just you that changed because you no longer love them anymore.

4. You are scared of being alone: People live in denial and claim they are in-love when they really aren’t. They are scared of ending up alone and for this reason will do everything it takes to have someone beside them including pretending to be in love.

5. You live in a fantasy world and you constantly look out for second options: It okay for you to have wondering eyes or fantasize about some things but only for a short while. But if it’s excess then you really aren’t head over heels with your partner.

6. Do you think of your partner often?: You’ll always think of your partner every day, if you’re really in love with them. As the relationship grows older, it gets better because you’ll still think about them doesn’t matter how far apart you both are.

7. You think everything is about you: For narcissists and selfish people, it’s a load of trouble loving someone else. They may feel something but it’ll be hard to love completely because of their nature. A self-absorbed person isn’t really in love.

10 deadly phrases that can kill relationship

If you’re married or in a long-term relationship, you should leave some things unsaid. Words are arrows; you might end up hitting the wrong target, so be extra careful at where you aim.

Here, we have summed up some statements and phrases that marriage therapists consider deadly to your relationship. Strike them off of your vocab list. The sooner you do that, the better in terms of your relationship.

1.“When are you going to do those dishes? Don’t just leave them there!”

The dishes are a sort of place holder for loads of things; you’ll see them lying around often. But still, using accusatory terms for your partner like you ‘never’ do the dishes or you ‘always’ leave them lying there is ending it the same way every time, with you and your partner being in a heated argument.

Instead, accept readily the fact that we all forget such little things in life every now and then. Give your partner some leniency when they neglect some duties so you do not end up accusing them of things they do not even deserve.

2.“You are acting just like your mother.”

When in an argument, just focus on your partner and yourself. Comparing your partner to your in-laws isn’t fair. It diverts the topic from your problem at hand.

Bringing in outsiders in personal matters isn’t a pretty sight no matter the nature of your relationship. It’s symbolic of your inability to tackle the issue with the end result that you thrust it on someone outside your relationship. Everyone deserves benefit of the doubt.

3.“You consider yourself better than everyone.”

Never give wrong notions to your partner. You can never really know what someone’s thinking or feeling at what moment, so keep your assumptions to yourself, as said by Becky Whetstone, a marriage and family therapist in Little Rock, Arkansas.

“These statements are aggravating because your spouse knows that what you are accusing them of is not true,” she said. “What you are saying suggests you do not think very highly of your S.O. It is a double dose of pain in one sentence.” Such lines make you come off as spiteful and conceited, believe it or not.

4.“Do I look pretty?”

‘Questions about weight or changes in looks are the “oldest grenades in the marriage script,”’ said Robyn Wahlgast, a dating and relationship coach for women. You marry someone when they were all young and beautiful but then, time and age came into the mix like frosting on a cake – quick and sudden and silent – so is it their fault that you should criticize them for becoming this way?

What you have to keep in mind here is that beauty fades, personality does not. And it was the person’s heart and behavior etc. that made you fall for them hard enough to end up being with them, is it not? Therefore, do not overlook the fact that their physical beauty is just transitory.

5.“I think you’ve put on some weight.”

Blunt, negative remarks to your spouse about his or her appearance are out of line. If you notice that your partner is gaining weight, be constructive about it and help them in the process of getting back in shape and being healthy again, instead of being extremely critical about them and making them fall into depression.

6.“You are terrible at what you do…”

Telling your partner they are not good enough at what they do; at being a parent or the sole earner of the house or as a lover etc. is just plain wrong. It sounds crueller to them then you intend it to be. ‘Put-downs centered around your spouse’s family or occupational roles are particularly cruel’, said M. Gary Neuman, a psychotherapist based in Miami Beach, Florida. They breed not only seeds of hostility but also of racism and prejudice… even though it might be unintended.

“Negative statements about our self-identities are devastating,” he said. “These roles are so important and tender. When they are questioned, we feel completely torn down. It becomes hard to forget statements like this.” It shows your lack of appreciation on your partner’s side and to the extent of effort they put into being what they are, be it a parent or a breadwinner or lover.

7.“I really hate it when you do that…”(said in public, especially around friends and family).

‘Putting your spouse down in front of others is a huge no-no in a relationship’ said Whetstone. It makes them feel humiliated in front of others – others who know them – and by their own partner, not any outsider.

True love, respect and appreciation demands wholeheartedly that you defend your partner no matter what – especially when it gets rough. They count on you most of the time to defend them so if you fail to do that, how do you think that would make them feel? Sure, you do not have to like each and everything your spouse does. But nonetheless, that does not, in any way, give you the right to just negate whatever they did or said in front of people, you know? You have to stay on each others’ team no matter what because it’s you both up against the world.

8.“I do not even know him that well… just someone from work, nothing serious.”

Forming slight infatuations and crushes etc. for someone other than your partner is something that happens to at least one or both the people involved in a relationship at some point; and that is okay. You cannot stop the way your feelings are born, can you?

“It’s almost inevitable that you or your partner will develop a small, innocent crush on someone at some point during your marriage. If that happens, be upfront about it. Don’t try to sweep it under the rug with a statement that minimizes your feelings,” said Wahlgast.

Having committed to one person does not limit you to feel other things for the first time. It’s just that when you do feel them, let your partner in on them so that there can be no misconceptions.

“The best way to neutralize the potential destructiveness of your crush is to briefly and simply acknowledge it to your spouse,” she said. “Try saying to your husband, ‘I know it sounds ridiculous, but I’ve a bit of a crush on that new consultant. He’s so funny — his sense of humor reminds me of yours.’”

Though it may be an uncomfortable subject to broach, ultimately, Wahlgast said being transparent about your feelings “will create more openness with your partner. You will each feel more comfortable bringing up other taboo subjects in a kind and respectful way.” That wall of awkwardness will come tumbling down swiftly between you two with time as you keep sharing stuff like this.

9.“Stop feeling like that.”

That’s like telling a person about to commit suicide to not do it – will that actually stop them? No, right?

Whatever your partner’s feeling is real, it means something to them; that doesn’t make it any less surreal to them.

Everyone amongst us has the right to feel. It’s a part of who we are, the type of feelings we harbor. So in a sense, telling your spouse to not feel what they are feeling is indirectly telling them to not be who they are…a huge turn-off in any relationship.

10“You don’t need to wait up for me.”

“This seemingly innocent remark suggests you are not going to bed at the same time, a habit that can be damaging to your relationship”, said Wahlgast.

“You should view shared bedtime as a way to strengthen your connection with your partner — it’s a powerful form of physical intimacy, with or without sex,” she said. “Saying OK to separate bedtimes enables behaviors that destroy intimacy, such as solitary porn-watching and flirty messaging with friends or co-workers.”

Five Lessons to Learn from Being Single

People have the wrong perspective in mind that being single means being lonely and you can only find happiness in being with someone. It is not true. For most people, being single is a choice. It gives them independence and freedom. Researchers have suggested that people work well, think well, and live happier while being single. So here are some lessons that everyone should learn from being single.

1. Live happy

Single people know and accept that only they have the right to make themselves happy. Nobody else is going to complete them or make them happy. It is their job. Even those people who are in a relationship should not completely depend on their partners to keep them happy forever. Nobody is accountable for your happiness but you.

2. Love everything

According to the society and media, love is limited to relationships, which is yet another misconception. Love is a multi-purpose word and is not just bound to your romantic life. A relationship is not the only way to experience love. Single people see this word with a broad view. They are in love with different places and things. They are in love with various people, including their family and friends. They are in love with their pets and hobbies. When a person is surrounded by so many individuals or things that they love, they automatically feel happier.

3. Enjoy some time alone

Being single also teaches us that we should spend some time with ourselves. Spending time alone helps people develop strong insights. Being alone for some time permits us to do activities we like, think about important things and make decisions without any input from others and gives opportunities for creative and productive things. People in a relationship should also try to spend some quality time alone so that they can refresh their mind and explore themselves with a different perspective.

4. Know your self-worth

Being single means that you don’t need anyone’s consent to acknowledge how much worthy of being loved you are. Single people are aware of their self-esteem and are confident. They don’t depend on other’s statements or comments so that they can mold their lives according to it. That’s what everyone should do. Being single teaches us to love yourself first and then allow others to love you. Never degrade your self-worth for any person in your life and if that person tries to lower your self-worth, it clearly exhibits that they are the one who are not worthy of you.

5. Being selfish is OK sometimes

In a relationship, people puts their partner’s needs before theirs. It is a sacrifice that everyone makes, but it is not necessary every time. Being single teaches us that being selfish sometimes is fine. Try to do what you love for once and enjoy it. There might be fears that will hold you back, but try to address them. There’s nothing better than living life your way once in a while.

Five Things to Remember If Your Partner Ends Your Relationship

Ending a relationship might take a moment or two, but once everything is over, it might leave you devastated for a long time. It will be unjust to say that breakup leads to sadness. Sadness is a minuscule word. People who have been through a breakup have been through a traumatic phase of life comprising of agony, despondency, loneliness, misery, repentance, self-doubt, and suffering. No matter how painful this is, everyone should try to move on. Remember these five important things if you’re going through a breakup. They can help you on your journey to finding happiness again.

1. Everything takes time

Bear in mind that time is the best healer. Breakups are like a physical injury and similarly, they need time to heal. Your mind and body recuperate slowly and gradually. It takes some time to acclimatize your mind and body to all the events happening around them. Also, remember to never rush the process of healing; it will not help you but instead make the circumstances worse.

2. Remove every memory

It might sound cruel, but it is better to delete texts and emails and discard anything you possess that might remind you of your ex. It is important because if you see these things again after some months, they might open up your wounds and will not help you move on.

3. Never doubt your self-worth

No matter what, never doubt your self-worth and think that maybe you were not good enough for your partner. Everything occurs for a reason, which includes breakups too. It is better sometimes to let things go than to deliberately try to change yourself so that your partner might take you back. If your partner has ended the relationship, there is no use feeling worthless for a person who doesn’t want to be with you anymore. Always keep in mind that you are worth more than a breakup.

4. You are responsible for your happiness

No matter how your partner has treated you in the past, your happiness or sadness doesn’t depend on them or their treatment. Living a happy life is your choice. Don’t waste your life by overthinking about your past relationships, being depressed, and avoiding people. Rather, you should spend time with your friends and family, try to live happily as much as you can, explore new places, and make new and productive routines. There is a lot you can do for living a happy life, and always remember that only you can do this.

5. Don’t feel lonely

You are not alone. Surround yourself with your friends and family. Try to talk to them about anything, help them in their work, go out with them to shop or have lunch or dinner, and do whatever you like. Never think that you are alone forever. There are more than a hundred breakups that occur every single day. If all people start stressing over their breakup, then the world will become silent because it will be full of isolated people.

10 Signs That You Are Wasting Your Precious Time On Him

We’ve all been in a relationship where we’re just not sure if it’s going anywhere. We look at our friends and their relationships, and think we’re surely doing something wrong. Why aren’t we as happy as them? Why do we feel unsure about our relationship? You have to ask yourself a few questions. Does your man make you feel a little bit bad about yourself? Do you date a guy with a few questionable habits who you hope will change but know that he actually never will? Do you find yourself making excuses for him constantly, telling your family and friends that he’s just having a bad day. These are just a handful of signs that you’re probably dating the wrong guy. Let’s take a look at some more.

He Just Doesn’t Listen To You

So you spent all yesterday reminding him that you were going to out all day today and that he would need to cook a meal for when you and your mom return home from shopping. Naturally, you return home absolutely starving and ready to eat a delightful meal. Only, he forgot to listen and has been out playing golf with the guys. And he’s now just returned home absolutely starving and ready to eat a delightful meal.

He Drinks Too Much

Going out and drinking with your boyfriend on a Friday night is a giggle. You get a bit tipsy, have a few stolen kisses in the corner of a bar, and go home and get a little bit naughty underneath the sheets. The morning comes and all you want to do is laze around the house all day in the arms of your lover, nursing your hangover. Except he believes in the hair of the dog and wants to keep drinking. You reason that there is nothing wrong with that. Sunday comes along, you’re feeling better, and he suggests that you both nip to the pub for a few cheeky beers. After all, you’re both off work. Okay, why not? Monday morning comes around and it’s time to head into work. But your man isn’t going into work; he doesn’t have a job, remember? Instead, he’s off to the pub for a few more “cheeky ones”.

He Makes You Feel Bad About Yourself

Your man is supposed to be the one sole person who makes you feel good about yourself. When it feels as thought the world is tumbling down around you, your boyfriend is the one person who is supposed to cheer you up. He’s supposed to tell you that you’re just great no matter what anyone says. He’s supposed to tell you that you look stunning tonight, despite you feeling deeply unattractive. If instead he constantly puts you down and damages your self-esteem, you need to take this as a sign that he probably isn’t worth your time.

He’s A Poor Communicator

You want to have a rational discussion about your problems, but the minute you say anything he just flips; he goes up the wall and starts shouting and screaming. Basically, he’s emotionally immature and cannot commute like a grown-up. If this is him, your relationship is eventually going to beak down for good.

He Has No Drive

If your boyfriend thinks that getting to Level 100 on Halo is a sign of ambition, you’re basically dating a loser. You’re on a hiding to nothing. We need guys who have drive and ambition; we need men who have aspirations and want to better themselves. A man who spends his entire days playing video games, eating junk and basically waiting for the football game to begin is a guy who probably isn’t going to change no matter how hard you try. Drive is inborn, you can’t teach it. Let him go.

He Undermines Your Dreams

We all need dreams. Dreams give us hope and make us believe in a better future. Without dreams, what would be the point in even trying? What would be the point in evenliving? If your man is the type who pours cold water on your dreams and tells you to stay grounded because life is not going to get any better, alarm bells should be ringing in your head. What you need and deserve from a relationship is support and encouragement. You need a man who will get behind you and share your dreams.

He Loves Complimenting Other Women

Yes, you know the waitress is hot and the barista is every guys type. But does your boyfriend have to keep telling you this stuff? No, he doesn’t.

He Still Hangs Out With His Ex

It’s totally okay to to remain on speaking terms with his ex. After all, the last thing the world needs is more animosity, bitterness and bad blood. But if you find out that your boyfriend is still hanging out with your ex behind your back, the chances are that you’re probably wasting your valuable time on him. A guy hanging out with his ex is a red flag. A guy hanging out with his ex and not telling you is an alarm sounding telling you to get the heck out of there right now.

He Doesn’t Make You Feel Wanted

You suggest going for a romantic dinner and he just grunts. He doesn’t understand why you need to spend so much money when he could just warm up some soup for you both. You suggest calling him before bed time to say good night but he says just text him instead. You suggest going for a weekend away together but he needs to stay updated with the football so can’t really go. It’s the playoffs, he can’t miss it. If this sounds familiar, you can take it as a sign that he’s not actually all that committed to this relationship. It sounds more like he could do without all the hassle.

You’ve Already Broken Up

A Few Times If you’re already broken up a few times because he won’t commit, only to get back together each time because he’s promised that he can change, you should know by now that he sounds like a broken record. Think of this great quote: “It’s called a breakup because it’s broken.” Stay happy!

6 Things Your Guy DOESN’T Want To Hear

However, there are few things that are better left unsaid. Irrespective of the fact that your guy is the coolest man on the planet, there are things he might not appreciate hearing from especially you even if it has some truth to it. Here are a few common statements that most girls make (consciously or unconsciously) that give rise to conflict.

You are a momma’s boy:

Even though most men are momma’s boys, they hate to hear that especially from you! In some cases, the guy would have liked for some of your qualities that matches with his mom. So, you stating the obvious would be a disaster. Says Shweta Raghuram, a student, “I would hear him say I care the same way as his mom does. But the day I told him he was mom’s pet, he hit the roof!” Every person is touchy about his/her mother and he’s no exception. Hence, avoid bringing his mom into your conversation with him. It would be suicidal for the relationship if you do so.

Ugh! your friends:

No matter how much you love your guy, there are two things most girls can’t stand about men — his love for sports and most importantly the boy gang he loves to hang around with. Irrespective of the fact that his friends are a decent bunch, you still hate to hear him say he enjoys drinking with them. But expressing your concern to him is a big ‘no no’. “He would neither want you to point fingers at his friends, nor is he comfortable to let you praise them. It’s a dicey situation,” says, Sreevalli M. Dating or married, most guys hate to let go of their friends and shift their focus fully on you!

You are always like this:

Remember you fell in love with him for some of his qualities. It was not just looks that drew you to him. “True love is not about loving a perfect person, but learning to live with his imperfections.” Remember this cheesy line? The next time you wanna crib about his attitude, reminding yourself of this will save you a lot of trouble. Says Harsha Sharma, a techie, “Would she like it if I said you will never change? Mutual respect helps keep the relationship in good shape.”

We need to talk:

Oh no! Not again! This four-word statement is sure to make his temper soar! You realise that either of you saying ‘Let’s talk’ means trouble in paradise! Men hate drama, so if you must talk, get candid and to the point! Says Arunima Chatterjee, “It helps to talk it out when your relationship hits a road block. However, using these words would only mean a threat. Instead, ask him to meet up for coffee and talk your heart out.”

My Ex never did this:

No comparisons please! This is the most sensitive topic that’s best avoided. He already hates the fact that you previously dated somebody. Now, bringing your Ex into your relationship would mean war! Comparing your guy with your ex will hurt his ego and you know how men are! They will never like it one bit! To save your relationship, let bygones be bygones. For any relationship to work, it’s important to appreciate the person for what he is rather then pushing him to change which will ultimately boomerang on you. He might end up saying things like “Why don’t you go back to him!” Hence, it’s wise to weigh your words before speaking.

You are going bald:

With innumerable chemical-based products of reputed brands available in the market, you are spoilt for choice. Excessive trial and error methods result in disaster. With the kind of lifestyle, protecting your crowning glory has become quite a challenge. More so with men who tend to lose hair too soon and for whom the receding hairlines are very noticeable. That is definitely one of his major worries too. So this is the last thing you would want to tell him.

Taylor Swift calls Kim Kardashian a liar, says 'just leave me alone'

New York (CNN)Taylor Swift is firing back at Kim Kardashian. The Grammy-winner has taken issue with Kardashian's bombshell interview in the July issue of "GQ," where she claims that Swift knew all along that Kanye West would be calling her "that b**ch" in his song "Famous."

Kardashian told the magazine that Swift "approved" the song and was pretending to be offended when it came out in February. "She totally approved that," Kardashian said in the article. "She totally knew that that was coming out. She wanted to all of a sudden act like she didn't."

Swift's camp released a lengthy statement hitting back at the reality star and her marriage to West.

"Taylor does not hold anything against Kim Kardashian, as she recognizes the pressure Kim must be under and that she is only repeating what she has been told by Kanye West," The statement reads. "However, that does not change the fact that much of what Kim is saying is incorrect. Kanye West and Taylor only spoke once on the phone while she was on vacation with her family in January of 2016 and they have never spoken since. Taylor has never denied that conversation took place."

The statement goes on to say, "It was on that phone call that Kanye West also asked her to release the song on her Twitter account, which she declined to do. Kanye West never told Taylor he was going to use the term 'that b**ch' in referencing her. A song cannot be approved if it was never heard. Kanye West never played the song for Taylor Swift. Taylor heard it for the first time when everyone else did and was humiliated. Kim Kardashian's claim that Taylor and her team were aware [of the lyrics] is not true, and Taylor cannot understand why Kanye West, and now Kim Kardashian, will not just leave her alone."

Swift has always denied knowing anything ahead of time about West's song, which is of off his "Life of Pablo" album and released an initial statement when the song was released. Shortly after, West hosted "SNL" and was recorded backstage calling Swift a "fake a**."

Orlando shooter texted wife during

Was the Orlando shooter gay?

Orlando shooter cased Disney and nightclub

'Pulse' performer says shooter frequented the club

Reports: Orlando gunman visited nightclub several times

FBI: Shooter had been investigated

Shooter's father: Islam had nothing to do with this

Ex-wife of Orlando shooter speaks out

Gunman called 911, claimed allegiance to ISIS

Officials: FBI had investigated Orlando gunman

Source: Orlando shooter texted wife during attack

Files: Mateen disciplined 31 times in elementary school

The social voice of violence

New video of Orlando shooter emerges

Ex-wife of gunman details violent marriage

FBI: Orlando gunman radicalized online

Did Orlando shooter's wife know about plot?

Inside Omar Mateen's apartment

Was the Orlando shooter gay?

Orlando shooter cased Disney and nightclub

'Pulse' performer says shooter frequented the club

Reports: Orlando gunman visited nightclub several times

FBI: Shooter had been investigated

Shooter's father: Islam had nothing to do with this

Ex-wife of Orlando shooter speaks out

Gunman called 911, claimed allegiance to ISIS

Officials: FBI had investigated Orlando gunman

Source: Orlando shooter texted wife during attack

Files: Mateen disciplined 31 times in elementary school

The social voice of violence

New video of Orlando shooter emerges

Ex-wife of gunman details violent marriage

FBI: Orlando gunman radicalized online

Did Orlando shooter's wife know about plot?

Inside Omar Mateen's apartment

Was the Orlando shooter gay?

Pulse patron: The gunman was on a gay dating app for years and had sent a nude photoPresident Barack Obama meets with victims' families in Orlando

(CNN)The Orlando shooter and his wife exchanged text messages during the Pulse nightclub rampage, a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told CNN.

Around 4 a.m. on June 12, about two hours after he started the attack and while holed up in a bathroom, Omar Mateen texted his wife, Noor Salman, asking if she'd seen the news, the official said.

At one point, she responded with a text saying that she loved him. Salman also tried calling her husband several times during the standoff, a second law enforcement official said.

The timing of her calls came after reports of the attack had emerged, and apparently after she realized her husband might be responsible. He didn't answer, the official said.

It's not clear if Salman made any attempt to report her husband during that time.

Investigators look into Omar Mateen's past 01:53

Salman is coming under increasing scrutiny as police investigate the killing of 49 people and wounding of at least 50 at the gay nightclub in Orlando. Authorities say Mateen carried out the killing with a Sig Sauer MCX semi-automatic assault-style rifle and a pistol.

Salman apparently gave conflicting accounts about what she knew of Mateen's intentions in the hours before the attack. authorities said. She also told investigators that in the weeks before the attack, Mateen spent thousands of dollars, including for the guns used in the attack.

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Mateen and Salman married in 2011. They have a 3-year-old son and lived in Fort Pierce, about two hours from the massacre.

A U.S. attorney plans to bring evidence before a federal grand jury to determine whether charges will be filed, two law enforcement officials said.

Facebook postings

Mateen also vented on Facebook before and during the massacre.

"America and Russia stop bombing the Islamic state," the gunman wrote, according to the chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

"You kill innocent women and children by doing us airstrikes ... now taste the Islamic state vengeance."

Then, in his final post, an ominous warning: ''In the next few days you will see attacks from the Islamic state in the usa."

New video of Orlando shooter emerges 01:50

The messages were described in a letter from committee Chairman Ron Johnson to Mark Zuckerberg, asking the Facebook CEO to provide "all Facebook data on Mr. Mateen's activities on his account and any affiliated Facebook accounts."

It's not the only time Mateen invoked ISIS during his rampage early Sunday. In the middle of killing 49 people, Mateen also called 911 to pledge allegiance to the terror group and CNN affiliate News 13 to say, "I did it for ISIS. I did it for the Islamic State."

And an analysis of Mateen's electronic devices showed searches for jihadist propaganda, including videos of ISIS beheadings, an official said.

Reported gun store visit

The owner of a Florida gun store said Thursday that employees contacted the FBI four or five weeks ago because they became suspicious when Mateen tried to purchase body armor and a large amount of ammunition.

Robert Abell of Lotus Gunworks in Jensen Beach said a man asked for soft and then hardened body armor but was told the store didn't carry that merchandise.

During his visit, the man spoke on the phone to somebody in a foreign language and asked to buy 1,000 rounds of ammunition -- a request the store turned down, Abell said.

Orlando GoFundMe breaks record 01:49

The store called the FBI with the suspicions, Abell said, but didn't know the man's name.

The FBI investigated another incident reported by the gun store owner that coincided with Mateen's possible visit, three law enforcement officials told CNN.

Agents originally looked into a call from the store about a group of suspicious foreign men appearing to be of Middle Eastern descent, who were buying police gear.

The FBI tracked down the men, who were visiting government security officers from a Middle Eastern country. The purchase was not deemed suspicious, the sources said.

When the FBI closed the matter with the store, an employee mentioned another unidentified suspicious man who days before had tried to buy Level 3 body armor.

There was no name or any purchase record to review. The FBI asked the person at the store if there was surveillance footage or a car description or license plate. There wasn't.

After the shooting, store employees realized the man was Mateen, Abell said.

The FBI had no official comment on the matter when reached Thursday night.

Spokesmen for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Martin County Sheriff's Office said the agencies don't have any records of receiving calls from Lotus Gunworks.

ISIS, or personal conflict?

Witness: We thought gunshots were 'part of the music' 05:24

Despite mounting pledges of allegiance to ISIS, some say they believe Mateen was actually fueled by struggles with his sexuality -- and may have latched on to ISIS as a vehicle for his anger.

Several regulars at the gay nightclub said the gunman visited frequently over the past few years. Cord Cedeno said Mateen saw him at Pulse and messaged him on Grindr, a gay dating app.

Cedeno said he wasn't interested in Mateen, but his friend was.

Steve King: 'Gays were targeted in Orlando, and it does matter'06:48

"One of my friends ... has been speaking with him since 2007, on and off," on another gay dating app, Cedeno said.

"(Mateen) sent him a picture of his private part, and my friend actually was attracted to him. He almost went and hooked up with him."

FBI agents are interviewing people who claim they met the gunman on gay dating apps, a law enforcement official said. Those claims "certainly change the perspective," the source said.

Was the Orlando shooter gay? 01:54

CNN military analyst Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling said the gunman's complex background makes the investigation challenging.

"I'm not a psychiatrist, but the struggle with his humanity, his sexuality, combined with the potential for putting the onus on an organization that's asking people to do this -- asking extremists to do these kinds of things -- is an interesting dynamic," he said.

"And that's the thing that makes this case so extremely difficult."

Ex-wife: I questioned his sexuality 02:01

The gunman's ex-wife, Sitora Yusufiy, said she was not sure about his sexuality.

"It doesn't surprise me that he might be gay," she said. "And it doesn't surprise me that he was leading two totally different lives and was in such deep conflict within himself."

But the gunman's father, Seddique Mateen, has said he didn't think his son was gay. He emphasized that Mateen had a wife and child.

Victim's video

Throughout Orlando, survivors mourned the dead and recalled their experience.

Miguel Leiva shot cell phone video while huddled inside a bathroom with about 16 other people, he told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Thursday night.

The video showed people passing a cup of water around. One man was choking on his own blood, Leiva said. They whispered because they feared the gunman, who twice came back and fired his weapon, would return.

"I just remember you can smell the blood, there was so much blood," Leiva said. "All my clothes was full of blood. We were sitting down and there was a huge puddle of blood."

Only five or six people made it out alive, he said. Leiva was shot in the foot and leg.

"So many innocent people just there to have a good time."

Why the United States has the most mass shootings

CNN's Ralph Ellis, Keith Allen, Brian Todd, Jim Sciutto, MaryLynn Ryan, Eliott C. McLaughlin and Joshua Gaynor contributed to this report.

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