The Best a Man Can Get

I've been meaning to take a break from my personal stories to write a post about something that struck a chord with me.  A few months ago Gillette released a commercial that brought a lot of media attention.  It appeared the purpose of the commercial was to get people to ask themselves, is this the …

The Teacher

As my adventures in dating continued I found myself trying out different dating sites.  I seemed to meet one bizarre person after another.   Some of them I could weed out right away.   For example, the chef who spent an entire conversation talking about the three times he was arrested (One of those times included a …

Many First Dates

I didn't let my first (very bad) experience in the dating world sour me from continuing to try.  I decided to keep at it in the hopes that there might be some nice, normal man out there that would be worth spending time with.  I went on a few first dates that didn't go anywhere. …

My First Date After Divorce

When I first started talking to people on the online dating apps I was very clear about my intentions.  I had just gotten out of a very unhealthy marriage and I was looking to meet people to spend time with, but I was not looking for anything serious.  My children would always come first and …

Adventures in Online Dating

If you've been following my blog then you know that up until this point my stories have been those of an abusive relationship in which I lost myself and dissolved into a person I didn't recognize.  Those moments still pop up frequently and John is still an aggressive, angry man.  But it's been a year …

Mind Games

I did my best to make my mother's house feel like home for the children.  My mother cleared out dresser drawers and cleaned out a bedroom for each child.  I filled their beds with familiar stuffed animals.  I even started letting them use their tablets in bed for a few minutes before they were asked …

Shadows

It's been a while since I had the time to sit down and write.  Part of me thinks that might be a good thing.  Life is getting a little bit better with every day that passes.  The pain and fear that years of emotional abuse have left behind is becoming more of a shadow behind …

The Second Time I Called the Police

I was convinced that once I was able to gain some space from John I would finally start to feel safe. In my fantasies of what it would be like without him lurking behind every corner I turned, I was finally able to breathe freely and deeply again without the constant fear I had felt …

Mandated Reporters

Because I am a teacher, I know the ins and outs of what happens at a school.  I also know the legal requirements and the rationale behind them.  One of those requirements is that anyone who works with children is considered a "mandated reporter" by DCF.  This means that if they suspect any type of …

I Remain

"God only gives you what you can handle" ........"Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger"... I've heard these phrases many times since I served John.  They are always spoken by well meaning people who likely don't know what to say so they rely on these common phrases.... but these words mean very little when you …