So if you remember I am a 31 years old mother, who decided to become a doctor against all odds. This decision impacts so many areas of my life, it is incredible. My love life has been affected, Yesterday I received the letter confirming the divorce to Cole.
Cole didn’t come back and in the morning there are absolutely no signs of him. I take Lina to the nursery and go to work. Should I email him? Should I say something? What do you say to your ex-husband?
Scenario 1: Play it casual
Me: Hi, how’s everything? I dropped Lina at the nursery. She is fine.
Cole – no response
Me: You at work?
Cole – no response
Me: I’m at work. I had porridge this morning, let me send you a picture
Me: picture sent
Me: what do you think? Smiley
Cole: I don’t care.
OK that’s pretty rude.
Scenario 2: play the victim
Me: Cole, I am so sorry about everything. I didn’t want things to end this way.
Me: we should talk, when are you home?
Cole – no response
Me: with the decision to become a doctor, I think it turned my priorities around, I don’t even know who I am anymore.
Cole: you filed for divorce before this decision to become a doctor.
Oops touche!
Reality: play it real
Me: Cole, I think we should talk to work things out for Lina. When are you home?
Cole: Staying with sister for a couple of days. Let’s talk next week.
Next week? It feels like an eternity. But I won’t push him. I think it’s fair for him to have a couple of days to recover from the news.
Since Lina has a sleep over, I am going to call for my own sleep over… with Lewa and Christina.
Christina is the first to react to the announcement. “Fuck! I really thought you would pull the plug at some point and cancel this divorce petition”.
I must confess, I am startled by her remark. “Why would I have not gone ahead with the divorce?”
“because he still loves you” Lewa retorts.
Despite his love for me, I just couldn’t see ourselves together.
“Why did you divorce him again?” Christina quizzes.
I started the procedure a year ago. I remember the day I told him, we were driving back from his sister’s, where I had another speech about how unreligious I was and the lack of Jesus’ presence in Lina’s life.
“I want a divorce,” I said. Cole burst out laughing. After 10 minutes of genuine giggles, he realised I didn’t take back my statement. He turned his head to decipher my expression. I avoid his eyes. At that moment, he was really worried.
“Why?” He demanded
“Does it matter why?” I know, it’s a silly response for such an important discussion.
“Are you kidding me? Of course, it matters.”
He waited for a reaction, but I was just paralysed.
“Are you cheating on me?” he whispered.
“No!” I heard him breathing out with relief. But I hadn’t answered his question.
“Then why? You don’t love me anymore?” he begged
This time, I stared at him. I owed him the truth, he may not understand it, but it was the least I could do for the father of my daughter.
“I want a divorce, not because I don’t love you anymore, but because I don’t love myself, I never have and I want to learn to love myself. But this self-discovery, I can’t do it with you and as your wife.”
His response was simple: ”what a lot of rubbish!!”
I was not expecting him to understand and he didn’t. So whenever I get the question why I filed for divorce. My response is simple.
“Because I didn’t love him anymore.”
Lewa and Christina seem satisfied.
Post edited by Markesia Barron (Twitter @MarkesiaBarron)
I love your transparency! I’m currently going through a breakup and know these scenarios oh too well!! Thank you for this. ?
As a married woman it makes me sad to know that you didn’t feel like you could your whole true self in your union. I hope that you find the solace you’re looking for and that your goals to become a doctor bring you happiness.
Leslie / @hautemommie / http://www.thehautemommie.com
Wow! This was raw and unapologetically real. I hope that you are able to find peace in who you are and that your journey from here is filled with discovery.
Thanks for all the comments! Self discovery is hardcore
OMG! This was so ‘in your face!’ That’s all I’ll say for now
I hear you!
I’ve never been married so I can’t understand or relate to what you went through but I can definitely empathize with what a difficult time it must have been, even with it being your decision.
Thank you
Wow this is such a lovely honest post. I love your line where you talk about how you discovered that you did not loving yourself….I think that this happens more than not and it is SO important to have that self love, and realize when you are beginning to feel this way. Without it, it is difficult to give love to others. I applaud your bravery and courage for sharing your story!!
Thanks a lot
This is a very honest post. As someone who is no where near getting married nevermind getting a divorce, I can’t say I understand, but I appreciate the transparency.
This was the very first post that I read from your blog. I love your authenticity, your transparency and your creativity with the cartoons. I nominated you for the Liebster award because you deserve it! click on the following link to learn more about your nomination.http://iamlauracharles.com/index.php/2017/08/28/liebster-blog-award-nomination/
Congrats!
THANK YOU so much, Laura! I feel really blessed!
I love and appreciate your beautiful candor and vulnerability. You are an inspiration. Cheers!
Thank you for your vulnerability and authenticity.
I pray you find yourself and who you truly are.