Four years ago on this date, and actually at this very moment, I was on Interstate 40 West in NC headed to Florida to start a new life with my husband. I literally didn't have a care or fear in the world. I was consumed with excitement, as I knew this was the best thing for us. Sadly, 7 weeks later on November 14, we separated for various reasons and we are now divorced. And while I do not know where he is now, I decided to stay in Florida to try and make it on my own. I didn't tell any of my family about the separation and I only told about 3 friends. I knew that if my family found out, they'd talk me into moving back to NC. I felt very strongly that Florida was where I was meant to be. In fact, I didn't tell family for nearly 8 months!! I felt THAT strongly about it.
In those 8 months I flourished more than I ever had. I got my self esteem back and I was genuinely happy again. And I began dating again! When I finally did tell mom, she was floored! She was also quite ecstatic that I'd left my husband. My whole family was actually, but that's another story! Everyone was happy for me and realized that I needed to prove to them and myself that I could live 12 hours away without the help of family or a husband.
As I said, it's now been 4 years. I'm still happy. And the man I started dating after my husband? Well, we're engaged and HE will be my husband in December.
You always hear things like "God works in mysterious ways." It's true. Four years ago tonight, I thought my husband and I were headed for an amazing adventure together. But it turns out, we were headed for amazing adventures separately. I hate being a statistic of divorce. But my life is truly better than it has ever been. Yes, I miss my family "back home". But there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not grateful for that fateful trip back in 2010. It lead me to the person I now am and to Tristen, the man I now plan to spend the rest of my life with.
There's another old saying: If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. Truer words were never spoken. His plans for me were far better than anything I could have imagined for myself.
