But inside our home, something fundamental had been rotting for a long time. Marriage is supposed to be a partnership, a shared effort where both people carry the weight of life together. With Calvin, it felt like I was dragging the weight of two people uphill while he stood behind me, counting his coins and complaining about the cost of my shoes.
When I first met him, he seemed perfect. He was attentive, charming, and surprisingly gentle. He asked thoughtful questions.
He listened, or at least he appeared to. Most importantly, he seemed to love Willow as much as I did. That should have been my first clue.
Anyone can pretend to love something when it costs them nothing. The truth is, Willow existed in my life long before Calvin ever did. She came into my world on one of the worst nights of my life and quietly became the reason I learned how to hope again.
Continue reading…
