I started by grabbing my workout pants—the stretchy, comfortable ones that screamed, “New mom here.” They were a step up from my old boxers, but still said, “Please, leave me alone.” I hastily shoved a bunch of them into my small blue suitcase, then moved on to shirts—nothing fancy, just some graphic tees and simple tanks. I packed a few bras, some underwear, and a pile of mismatched socks.
I was in a hurry, focused solely on getting out the door with my sleeping 11-month-old daughter in my arms. It felt like I had to escape, to leave everything behind.
It wasn’t always this way. I met my husband, Jake, when we were just kids in seventh grade. I was shy and awkward, and so was he. After mustering the courage to ask him to save a dance for me at a Halloween party, we quickly became friends. Before long, we were a couple, then engaged, and finally married.
But time changed us. I began to question if I loved him or just the idea of being in love. Suddenly, I found myself packing that suitcase, contemplating a divorce.
Having a baby transforms everything. While people warned me about sleepless nights and physical changes, no one warned me how drastically parenthood could affect my marriage. The joyful moments faded, replaced by arguments and silent treatments. I was considering leaving—not out of rebellion, but from sheer desperation.
For months, that suitcase sat by my nightstand, always packed and ready. I felt lost and broken, preparing to walk away until I finally mustered the courage to tell Jake and our friends that I wanted a divorce.
We agreed to try marriage counseling before making any final decisions. Marriage is tough; it requires ongoing effort and compromise. The blissful beginnings often give way to misunderstandings, and small disagreements can escalate into major conflicts. We found ourselves at that breaking point, but we committed to exhaust all options, including therapy.
After more than a year of counseling, I can say we’re in a better place. There’s understanding, tenderness, and empathy. We’ve opened our hearts and minds, and I’ve unpacked that suitcase for good. Today, I know I love Jake—not just the idea of him.
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In summary, counseling has been a lifeline for my marriage. Rather than running away, we chose to confront our challenges together, and it has made all the difference.