Disclaimer: This is my personal story intended to help and give hope to those in situations similar to mine. I am not a licensed therapist or Doctor.  It is in no way an absolute fix or a solution for all.  These are the things I personally dealt with and the lessons I have learned from my experience.   If you need immediate help, please call 9-1-1.  Please seek professional help if you are suffering from the ramifications of domestic abuse.

Now you know a huge part of Mom’s story.  Here is the important part. These are the crucial lessons I have learned that I have to tell you. I pray you cling to these words. 

1. YOU ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN RUBIES AND YOU HAVE A PURPOSE.

You are priceless.  You are unique and a rare treasure. Never let anyone take that away from you or cause you to question it.  You have a purpose. No one can take that away. No mistake or tragedy that comes your way can derail...

^{Disclaimer: This is the personal story of a survivor of domestic violence. It is intended to help and give hope to those in similar situations. We are not licensed therapists or Doctors.  It is in no way an absolute fix or a solution for all.  These are the things the story teller has personally dealt with and the lessons learned from their experience.   If you need immediate help, please call 9-1-1.  Please seek professional help if you are suffering from the ramifications of domestic abuse. The true name of the writer has been concealed for their protection.}

I have always wanted to share my story. I knew if I did and put real names it would be a source of embarrassment for several people. So, I stayed quiet. My goal was never to expose anyone. I simply wanted other women to know what to look out for. My children have a good relationship with their father now, and we are amicable, so I write this...

^{Disclaimer: This is my personal story intended to help and give hope to those in situations similar to mine. I am not a licensed therapist or Doctor.  It is in no way an absolute fix or a solution for all.  These are the things I personally dealt with and the lessons I have learned from my experience.   If you need immediate help, please call 9-1-1.  Please seek professional help if you are suffering from the ramifications of domestic abuse.}

"Dear God, please heal me. Fix me. Make me new. I want to be so fully healed that when I tell others of my story, they’ll stand in awe! Healed without a trace of smoke!"

That was my prayer. I meant it. 

I didn’t want to be someone who went through hell and made every person thereafter pay for someone else’s mistake. 

I know God created me for a purpose. He created you guys for a purpose. 

He made me a happy, unique, creative, often weird, trusting lover....

Disclaimer: This is my personal story intended to help and give hope to those in situations similar to mine. I am not a licensed therapist or Doctor.  It is in no way an absolute fix or a solution for all.  These are the things I personally dealt with and the lessons I have learned from my experience.   If you need immediate help, please call 9-1-1.  Please seek professional help if you are suffering from the ramifications of domestic abuse.

*Susie's Story 

<*denotes name change for protection>

Why is it that our life story can be so hard to tell?  I sat down to write this and realized it is very hard to tell this part of my story.  I think I fear judgment and am shameful of this part of my past. I should not be ashamed, but instead I should embrace my past.  

After all, my past has helped create, mold, and shape me.  I am not ashamed of who I am today and I am proud of what I have been...

^{Disclaimer: This is my personal story intended to help and give hope to those in situations similar to mine. I am not a licensed therapist or Doctor.  It is in no way an absolute fix or a solution for all.  These are the things I personally dealt with and the lessons I have learned from my experience.   If you need immediate help, please call 9-1-1.  Please seek professional help if you are suffering from the ramifications of domestic abuse.}

<Letter 2>

My Girls,

Maybe one day I’ll fill you girls in on all the things I’ve left out. Today isn’t that day. You should know, the Megan then and the Megan you call Mommy aren’t the same person. 

Not at all. After the break-up was official, it got a lot worse before it got better. 

There was so much clean up that needed to be done. Most of that had to begin inside of me. How did I become this person? I was angry. I trusted no one. I was broken. 

Though I...

^{Disclaimer: This is the personal story of a survivor of domestic violence. It is intended to help and give hope to those in similar situations. We are not licensed therapists or Doctors.  It is in no way an absolute fix or a solution for all.  These are the things the story teller has personally dealt with and the lessons learned from their experience.   If you need immediate help, please call 9-1-1.  Please seek professional help if you are suffering from the ramifications of domestic abuse. The true name of the writer has been concealed for their protection.}

It’s Never Ok…

At first it started out as horseplay and then a push or shove would go too far. I would quickly dismiss it and think, “I’m sure he didn’t mean it.”

Soon, the wrong word during an argument, or one too many questions about where he went, who had just called his phone, or really anything he didn’t like ended...

_{^{Photography: Brittany Paiyarat Boudoir Studio Hair & Makeup: Amanda H. Bravender}}

^{Disclaimer: These are the personal stories of survivors of domestic violence. It is intended to help and give hope to those in similar situations. We are not licensed therapists or Doctors.  It is in no way an absolute fix or a solution for every situation.  These are the things the writer has personally dealt with and the lessons learned from their experience.   If you need immediate help, please call 9-1-1.  Please seek professional help if you are suffering from the ramifications of domestic abuse.} 

My darling girls,

I’m going to tell you a story that will likely shock you and leave you speechless. The sheer look of disbelief on your face will be the fulfillment of a prayer your Mommy prayed long ago.

Long before you both graced us with your presence, long before Mommy met your Daddy, there was a guy.

When I met this guy, I saw so...