Hannah here, hello to all of you. I am a 38-year-old mother of two wonderful children, aged five and seven. My spouse, Luke, and I have been wed for about a decade. We’ve had ups and downs as any couple, but on our most recent trip to Mexico, something happened that stunned me more than anything we’ve experienced together.
Imagine yourself enjoying gorgeous weather, gorgeous beaches, and a much-needed vacation from the grind. I had carefully planned my trip, hoping to unwind and catch up with Luke. But Luke was acting strangely right away. He would always say no when I asked him to take a picture with me or of me.
Initially, I assumed he might be simply fatigued from the journey. However, it eventually developed into a pattern. I had purchased a new dress especially for the trip, and I was wearing it one evening as the sun was setting on a stunning beach. I asked Luke to snap a picture of me with the sunset because I was feeling good about myself. With a sigh, he added, “Hannah, not now.” I was hurt by his rejection. He was unable to take a time to take a picture when we were on vacation.
Luke was quite possessive of his phone during the vacation; he took it with him to the restroom and concealed the screen whenever I was there. My instinct told me there was a problem. I noticed his phone on the bed one day when he was taking a shower. The moment I picked it up, my heart raced. I needed to know even though I knew it was inappropriate to pry into his private life. I took his phone apart and read his most recent texts. The things I read chilled my blood. Imagine, guys, at her weight, she still wants me to snap pictures of her! he had written in a group chat with his friends. In what part of the picture would she possibly fit? She has changed significantly since having birth.
My eyes filled with tears. Behind my back, he was the man I loved, the father of my children, making fun of me. After returning his phone, I sat there in disbelief, feeling deceived and angry. My tears eventually stopped flowing, and I experienced a wave of rage. I would not allow him to escape punishment for this. I had to demonstrate to him the ramifications of his comments.
I took out my phone and went through the photos I had taken during the trip. I selected the best ones and posted them on Facebook with the caption, “Looking for a new vacation partner. Am I really so unattractive that even my husband doesn’t want to take pictures of me?” Almost immediately, the post started getting likes and supportive comments. Friends and acquaintances chimed in, praising my photos and expressing shock at Luke’s behavior.
When Luke came out of the shower, he sensed something was wrong. “Everything okay?” he asked. “Just peachy,” I replied, still furious and hurt. The next morning, I was packing our bags to cut the trip short when Luke walked in with a bouquet of flowers, looking sheepish. “Hannah, I’m so sorry for everything,” he started. I took the flowers without a word. He continued, “I know I’ve been a jerk. I shouldn’t have said those things. But honey, with your new money, you can hire a trainer and lose weight.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. He thought an apology followed by a suggestion to use my inheritance to change myself for him would make things right? I was overcome with rage and replied, “Maybe I will, Luke. But not so you can ogle at me.” The look on his face was priceless. He had expected me to forgive him and move on. “Luke, I’m divorcing you,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. He began to cry, “Please, Hannah, don’t leave me. I’ve already told my friends I was planning to buy a new SUV to go off-roading with them, and now, without your money, all my plans are ruined.
It hit me how little he valued me. It wasn’t about our relationship or family; it was about what my money could do for him. “You can find another way to buy your SUV, but you won’t do it with my money or by humiliating me. Goodbye, Luke.” I walked away, feeling a strange sense of relief coupled with sadness. This wasn’t how I envisioned my life, but it was time to take control of my happiness.
I spent the rest of the day making arrangements to return home and start the divorce process. Support from friends and family poured in, helping me regain my confidence and belief in my worth. I realized I didn’t need someone like Luke to validate my beauty or value. I decided to move on with my life, focusing on my kids and myself.
In the days that followed, I started working out, not because Luke suggested it, but because I wanted to feel healthier and stronger. I took up new hobbies, spent more time with friends, and even considered going back to school. One day at the mall, I ran into Luke. He was startled and half-complimented me, saying, “Hey! I almost didn’t recognize you, Hannah. You look different. How are you and the kids?” “We’re doing great,” I replied, not wanting to continue the conversation. “I’m running late, Luke. I have to be somewhere. Excuse me,” I said before leaving.
I was now free to live my life on my terms and feel comfortable in my skin. Rather than mourning my doomed marriage, I was ready to move forward with strength and self-love. So, what do you think? Did I handle things correctly, or was my reaction too overboard? What would you have done differently in my shoes?
