“Like when you go through breakups, layoffs, and downgrade your life to an apartment in the basement of a crappy apartment complex. Or when you have surgeries, family health scares, fights, and can barely pay the bills. Like when you say hateful things about people in the heat of the moment.”
‘Stop trying so hard with others who don’t make you feel right.’: Woman urges ‘find the friend who will walk with you through every season of life’
‘Who is going to pay for them?’ The years brought 7 more kids. ‘Are you crazy?’ Maybe.’: Mom chooses to have large family, ‘We had less money, but more love’
“The amount of rude comments were astounding. ‘Don’t you know how that happens? How do you afford them? We couldn’t figure out why everyone saw having a big family as a negative.”
‘You loved me when I was unlovable. You served when no one else was watching and put our lives before your own. ‘Thank you’ will never be enough.’: Woman pens touching ode to mother
“You were at all my sports events, milestones, graduations, and made sure all my friends were fed. You prayed hard during my rebellious teen years – even when I didn’t know it. You chose to love when it was hard and messy. Your investment in my life was no small thing. In fact, it was everything.”
‘He quietly wrote, ‘Before I die, I want to see my Quinn grow up.’ We never thought for a second he wouldn’t.’: Widow shares how husband understood the value of a moment, always ‘showed up’
“20 years from now, your kids won’t care whether you were the most successful person at work. They won’t care whether or not you always made the most responsible choices. The days are long but the years are short. Make them count. Take the trip. Do all the things. Every hope and dream we had for our future together died with him that day.”
‘I’m happy to see you prioritizing yourself for once.’ That sent the message of a controlling husband. It was really upsetting.’: Dad’s important message for ‘nosey, judgmental’ people who have ‘no idea how partnerships work’
“Last night I got asked if I wanted a medal for looking after my own kids. I was told I should let my wife go out more than once in a year. I got labeled as someone they’re ‘glad they’re not with’ because they get to go out every week on their own for ‘me time.’”
‘If I could change one thing about my husband, it would be how often he puts himself first.’: Wife’s candid admission about marriage challenges, not having enough ‘me time’
“I complain I don’t get enough help around the house. My husband’s gripe, on the other hand, is that I never make the time for me and the things I enjoy, and it’s not fair for me to be mad that he does.”
‘Babes, got my period, get pads – wings. And hazelnut Magnums, not the minis. And whatever the kids want for dinner. Can’t cook – dying.’: Mom recounts how her relationship has changed
“Husband. Wife. Roommates? If someone told me years ago that my relationship would one day change, I would have laughed and said no way.”
‘What are you doing, Mommy?’ ‘Oh nothing, Sweetie.’ That was the honest, ridiculous truth.
“I was scrolling through my phone, doing absolutely nothing. Nothing of value. Nothing worthy of taking my attention from him. And him asking that of me —it made me uncomfortable.”
The 5 friends you meet on the grief journey
“The Old Friends: This type of friend is your comrade in the trenches of the valley of grief.”
