I can’t applaud, cheer for, and love this quote quite enough. After a failed toxic marriage with a septic woman, it would have been easy — and understandable — if my husband simply curled into a ball, waved a white flag of defeat, and refused to leave himself vulnerable to any other woman, ever again. But he didn’t. When we met, his heart was still pure enough, large enough, giving enough to open again, tentatively at first, then bursting wide open like a firecracker once he knew he was safe with this one.
I am so glad that we met. He deserves to know what mature, honest, true love is. He deserves to be treated well, respected, cared for. We both do. I had just left an unhealthy relationship before I met him, and even though I had sworn I was done with men, my heart knew he was different. Despite myself, I was drawn to him. Still am.
Love always deserves a chance. It takes strength and courage to face that risk after a disastrous relationship, but it can be worth it, a million times over.
Both of us know what it feels like to be with someone incapable of, and undeserving of, real love. Both of us know the unhappiness and emptiness of a relationship with a selfish and shockingly immature person. Both of us wanted more and knew that love should not be unceasingly miserable, and we deserved so much better.
I am grateful for my husband each day. I am thankful that we found each other. I am grateful that our unfortunate experiences did not extinguish our passion for honest, intense, pure love. I am grateful that even after someone showed us the worst, we remained open to the best, and that we were willing to take that risk when we found each other.
I believe that experiencing the worst makes us value and appreciate what we have together even more. I don’t take him for granted. I cherish what we have even more, because I know not everyone is like him. Not even close. I am well aware that what we have is rare, special, worthy of protecting and nurturing.
So, yes — I do show kindness and respect to the man who experienced marriage at its worst and still gave it another shot. It is a huge compliment that he tried again for me, that he chose me, that he believes I am the best for him. I feel the same way about him, and we are both beautifully right.
Sweat & Sparkle 