Welcome to My Journey: The Story Behind Marriage, Men, and Me

Welcome, friends! I’m so happy you found your way to Marriage, Men, and Me- Grow Through What You Go Through! This is where I’ll be sharing my personal journey of self-discovery through life’s most complex relationships. If you have ever felt the weight of past relationships and wondered what true growth looks like after a roller coaster ride of twists and turns, ups and downs then you’re in the right place.

My own journey has definitely had its share of unexpected routes. My first marriage to the father of my three children has greatly shaped my understanding of relationships and family. We spent 10 years together before marrying, and then 8 years as husband and wife, totaling 20 years of intertwined love and friendship, including two years of separation before our divorce was final. It was the birth of our first child that I truly understood what unconditional love meant, a bond that only grew stronger with the arrival of our fraternal twins 4.5 years later. This foundation of family was also deeply marked by the devastation of losing our first child together. Even today, my first husband and I are pretty much best friends, proudly sharing 8 biological grandchildren.

The journey through grief can sometimes open unexpected doors, and often brings new chapters when we least expect them. Just over a year after the unimaginable loss of my son in September of 2011, I met my second husband in February of 2013 and married just three months later, in May of the same year. While I can honestly say I wasn’t in love with him when we married, love certainly grew as we built a life together. We did not share any children together, and eventually, that chapter of my life came to a close.

After that chapter close, a truly joyful and unexpected love entered my life. My current husband is my absolute happy place, and he was easy to love because our chemistry, even after all those years, came rushing back the moment we met again. He has a beautiful way of bringing out my fun and adventurous side. With him, I’ve experienced so many firsts and new joys- from my very first NBA basketball game to our memorable honeymoon in Miami, and even my first NFL game. He also took me to the beach for the first time, showing me the simple pleasures of new experiences. It’s amazing how much we have in common despite our differences: we both dream of owning a home with a pool where we can swim together, we love sharing quiet moments reading or adventurous rides on our bikes, and while he’s a die-hard Dolphin fan, I’ll always bleed green for my Eagles!

This journey of Marriage, Men, and Me is a heartfelt dedication to my mother. At 80, her heart is heavy with the immense sorrow of losing my brother, her son, and struggling with a sense of lost joy and beauty. Yet, it is her enduring strength, her wisdom, her insight, and the love she instilled in me, that empower me to grow through what I go through. My deepest hope for her is to rediscover the true and lasting happiness she deserves, and it’s with all of my love and appreciation that I honor her here.

Thank you for being here and taking this first step with me. I believe our shared experiences are what truly connects us. As we embark on this journey together, what does grow through what you go through mean to you? I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.