When I met Ashton's dad I thought he hung the moon. I fell in love with him instantly. We had a wonderful and perfect relationship for about a month. Then one day everything changed. I remember exactly what happened the day he first hit me. It was my Godson's first birthdays and I wanted to go to the cemetery to visit their graves. Well Craig did not want to do that, he wanted to watch a movie. So I told him that I would just go by myself and would be back when I was finished. Well he flipped out and started yelling at me. I had no idea what the heck was going on and it scared me so I just kinda stood there and that is when he pushed me down and punched me as hard as he could in the back. I remember screaming in pain and fear but being paralyzed and not able to move. He started crying and telling me how sorry he was and that he would never do it again. Well I loved him so I forgave him. I told him that if he ever did it again that I would leave him. He promised it would never happen again. Well needless to say he lied.
I don't want to go into all the times that he hit me, because it was A LOT! I mean as hard as this is for me to say, he hit me pretty much every day. One day he chased me into his kitchen and when I fell into the corner he held a knife to my throat and dared me to move. We got in a huge fight at a concert one night, because I said hi to an old friend, and he drove 2 hours out of the way JUST so he could beat the HELL out of me for a longer time. BUT I almost begged him to hit me in order to stop the emotional abuse I was getting. That was worse, it really was. He would tell me how fat and ugly I was. That no one else would love me. That I if I left him I would be alone. That I was worthless and would never amount to anything. Then he would say he loved me despite how fat and ugly I was, so I better stay with him because I was lucky that he loved me.
I know what you are thinking. Why didn't I leave him? Why did I put up with it? TRUST me I know!! And as generic as it sounds, I thought he loved me and I loved him. Yes he hit me and yes he emotionally destroyed me, BUT I thought I could change him. I thought that when he promised that he would not do it again that he meant it. He was my first love and I thought I would die without him. I didn't think I would find anyone else. I was wrong.
Craig and I broke up 3 days before I found out that I was pregnant with Ashton. I was going to be a single mom and I knew even though it was hard, that it was the best thing for me and for my son. He would be raised in a house filled with love and not anger. It took a long long time for me to forgive Craig for all the pain he caused me, but I have. He and I actually have a civil relationship. He adores his son and has recently gotten married. He has changed for the better and I am happy about that. I still struggle with the effects of the emotional abuse. I have a pretty low self esteem, but it is getting better. I hide a lot of my insecurities behind my quick wit and humor.
I was lucky enough to find a WONDERFUL man who loves me and tells me I am beautiful and wonderful all the time. I find that I am pretty needy on that end, I crave hearing that, because I was told the opposite for so long. My point of writing this is to just be real with everyone. Also I hope this will help people to not judge people in abusive relationships. I know it is really easy for people on the outside to say "Just leave" but it is not always that easy.
Ok well I hope that I didn't lose any readers because of this! Tomorrow I will be back to my fun, lighthearted self!
12 comments:
dani, thank you for sharing your heart and the struggles of being in an abusive relationship. i definitely dont think you need to apologize for writing this. I commend you for writing it bc it might help other women come out or know they are not alone. love ya girl
As I read this, my heart aches..I have tears in my eyes..It makes me want to go punch Craig in the face..hold a knife to his neck and let him see how it feels to be on the other side of the abuse..BUT, I won't, because I've taught both of my children, "Do unto others as you would have them do to you"..Danielle..i love you my sweet one..I told you over and over that one day God would send the perfect guy for you..I pray that Dustin treats you with all the respect and love that you deserve..Have a blessed day..Mom
such a sad story. I'm so glad you are ok now.
How heartbreaking! I am so glad that you got out of that relationship. I love that you shared this, there are people out there who need to read it and get out of bad situations themselves. Hugs!!
Very heartbreaking! No one should ever have to go through that EVER! I am glad that you are okay and that you are no longer in an abusive relationship!
It's also a blessing that he has changed and that he's good to his son.
Big hugs friend,
xo
Crystal
I am also a victim of domestic violence in a past relationship; thanks for telling your story. It happens all too often but you and I are the lucky ones. We both were smart enough to LEARN from it and better ourselves. Too many women don't get that opportunity.
Tara
http://tarabelle-adropofink.blogspot.com/
I know what you mean...it's so easy to hold on to the good times and tell yourself "but when it's good, its really good" and forget how bad the bad is in order to stay in the relationship! I am glad you found someone that loves you for who you are, inside and out. It took me a long time to find that, but it was worth the wait and I know it is for you too :)
I'm so sorry you went through that. I know it's hard for some women to leave. I just wish they were stronger and thought more of themselves.
I had a boyfriend I adored and we even talked about marriage. He got mad one day and decided punching me in the face was the best decision. That was the last time he ever put his hands on me. I left right then and there and didn't even look back. I'm glad you found a great guy :)
Truly touching! More people should share honest raw stories. I'm glad things are better and you are healing!
You better not lose any readers for being real and yourself...this is your blog!!! Good for you for giving abuse a voice and showing that there is a deeper rooted side to it and this is why it can exist. I'm so glad you found the courage to raise your son apart from him and found the love you so deserved. My mom had to go through that and she never regretted choosing her children...it hurt for her I'm sure...but she stayed too long too and when she did leave had emotional scars too. Thanks for sharing your heart.
YOur story is great to hear and also unfortunately too common. I've been in a few abusive relationships in my past and no one can tell you what to do or what its like until they've been there! I'm glad that you're in a healthy loving relationship now. I have a wonderful man too and he's had to dig my out from my past baggage a few times.
You shouldn't apologize for writing this! It is your story and your blog! Thank you for sharing and I'm happy for you that you're in a loving, healthy relationship now!
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