My best friend got married this weekend! Normally this would be a fairly exciting thing to share, you would assume that this beautiful bride finally found her ‘soulmate’ & now that she’s found her one true love they can start their lives off together & live happily ever after…
Except there’s more to the story…and it makes it amazing!
I asked Meg if I could share her story on my blog because I knew it could give great hope to so many women out there who are currently in the situation she found herself in a few years ago. I was with Megan on the day she found out her husband had been unfaithful. I was with her in the following weeks & watched helplessly as everything in her world crumbled around her, it was horrible to see someone I loved go through so much pain, it broke my heart, I can’t even imagine what it must have been like to be her.
I met Megan 7 years ago when we bought our house, she was our real estate broker & when she showed up to take us house shopping in the exact same blouse from Express that I had I instantly knew I liked her. In fact, everyone who meets Megan likes her, she’s one of those people who you just know beyond a shadow of a doubt is a genuinely good person. Her cheerfulness is contagious & being near her makes you feel happier whether you want to or not. That was one of the saddest parts of seeing her going through her divorce, that sparkle went away. In fact, since I’ve lived here 3 of my good friends have gone through separations from their spouses & with every single one I wondered, “WHY THEM?!” They have all been pretty, kind, intelligent women who loved their families more than life itself but somehow woke up one day & realized their husbands’ wanted something else. Someone else.
So here’s the thing, I remember in the months after Megan & her husband separated that she & her kids spent a lot of time at our house. She has two little girls that are almost exactly the same age as Sam & Sophie so it worked out well that the kids could run around happily distracted & Meg & I could sit at my coffee table & talk. Or not talk, it came to a point where there was nothing more to talk about & all she could do was just sit, kind of like a shell of the girl I once knew. She went through the motions but that sparkle, heck even just a little bit of the light in her eyes was all but gone. I couldn’t tell you how many times P & I would tell her, “Meg, you’re a young, beautiful, smart woman who has so much to give, you’re going to get snatched right up as soon as you’re ready!” We knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Megan would marry again. Somehow, and I can’t explain it, I just KNEW that at some point, maybe even just around the bend of the sad road she was on, was going to be a man that was not only going to adore & honor her but also would love her children as his on. I just knew it. I tried to tell Megan this but she just wasn’t capable of seeing it. Not only the thought of being able to give herself, her trust, to another man seemed unlikely but she just couldn’t see what kind of man would want to marry a thirty something year old woman with two kids. We could see it but it was a long time before she could.
The happy ending here is that time did go by & Megan did heal ever so slowly. During this time Meg not only found out how to move on but really found out who she was & just how strong she really was. In God’s perfect time she did find that man who we knew was out there, and I have to say, he’s even better than any of us expected.
(Nate presenting both of Megan’s girls with a necklace to remind them of his promise to take care of them as well)
(this is right about the time I lost it…me and everyone else!)
I have no doubt that Megan has found her happily ever after. Will there be bumps in the road? Of course, as there is with any relationship but this time, these two, I know will always cherish one another till death do they part.I don’t know why God’s plan was for Megan to find her ‘soulmate’ the second time around. I know she’s struggled with mourning the loss of her old idea of her ‘family’, but I also know that what she has now has made her so much more grateful for this new family. I know I have friends now who could use a story of hope, a real life example of how the dark sad place they’re in is actually not a dead end road, there’s a bend up there somewhere & around that corner is a new way, a new life, and it is beautiful. I hope this helps them…you.
Jamie
Happy for her. I, too, was married and divorced many years ago. I was so sad. And then I met my Ralph. We have been happily married now for almost 29 years and have a lovely 27 year old daughter. We both married young–the high school sweethearts-and divorced. Now, we can’t imagine life without each other. Love can definitely be better the second time around!
Natasha
I’m so happy for you that you found your happily ever after too, thank you for sharing your story, I’m sure there are others who can relate!
Samantha @ Anatomy of My World
Beautiful story and gives hope to those of us that have been there before. Thanks for sharing.
Linda
What a beautiful story and wonderfully written Natasha! I love a happy ending! This is such an inspiring story. As soon as I saw the picture of him putting the necklaces on their daughters I lost it- so sweet! he is def a keeper :o) I wish them all the happiness in the world- she deserves it!
Heaven Wood
You are such an amazing friend and this is a beautiful story!! So very happy for her and her children to find such a wonderful loving person to spend their life with.
Sara
omg.. thank you so much for this post today!! I am in that sad/mourning place right now and I completely understand how Megan felt. This gives me hope that my happy ending is still out there! <3
Natasha
I’m so happy to hear that Sara, Megan & I both are sending you lots of virtual hugs!! There is absolutley a happy ending out there, hang in there my friend. (:
Sylvia
Natasha,thanks for sharing such abeautiful story of true love,the 2nd time around,I too found my soul mate the 2 nd time,and it truly a fairy tale. My 1st marriage ended in 91 and I didn’t find my soulmate until 2001 we married in 2011, so we have what we call long term love! It’s not perfect but heck what is! It works for us,and we are staying in it forever!
Love you Natasha!
Erika
Great story! Thanks for sharing. Congratulations to your beautiful friend and her family!
Wendy
My parents both were victims of their spouses’ infidelity in their first marriages. They met, dated briefly and got married with 6 kids between them! My dad adopted my mom’s children (their bio father not only cheated but completely walked away from my mom and their then toddler and infant). I came along a year later. They will celebrate their 40th anniversary next March. He makes beautiful things out of the dust…
Natasha
Wow, what an amazing story! And 40 years, whew, that speaks a ton!
Liz
It’s so true! My husband was married and had a child with his first wife. She cheated on him (many times) and was verbally abusive. When we met he was just starting to heal. 5 years later, we’re happily married and I’m happy to be step-mom to his 11 year old daughter!
What a wonderful story. We wish the best to your friend and her family. They are very blessed!
Reesa
Wow Liz, our stories are so similar! Some differences, we’ve been married for almost 2 years, 13 year old son and he was somewhat down the road in the healing process when we met.
Silvia
I just cried reading this as I am currently that woman that your friend Meagan was two years ago. I find myself constantly crying every time I am out with my girls trying to keep busy but then see a happy family holding hands playing around. It is so funny that you post this at the exact time I am going through this. This is definitely give me hope, hope that I see very very far away, but non the less hope. I cannot wait to get passed this.
Natasha
Silvia, I’m so so sorry you’re going through, it’s almost eery how much I remember Meg saying the exact same things that you mentioned in your comment. Including that she couldn’t even imagine ever being ready to get married again…I don’t know bad things happen but I do know this from reading your comment along with everyone else’s that Megan going through her hell has in some small way helped you go through yours, maybe in two years you’ll be able to help another woman who finds herself in your shoes. Lots of hugs your way Silvia!!
Lauren Honeycutt
Thank you thank you thank you for this story, Natasha! It’s just beautiful and makes me believe in love <3
Cindy
What a heartwarming story. So happy you shared, it is wonderful to see you both have already helped others. Yes, I too cried when reading about the necklaces and then looking at the pictures. Such a happy ending or should I say beginning <3 So happy for you, Megan 🙂
Sydney
This was beauty on an ugly day! Thank you and thank Meg for letting you share her story.
EST
Thank you so much for this post – I’m a twenty-something whose parents are currently in the middle of a divorce which has been difficult for me to get through, especially as I graduate college and prepare for the real world. My mom is currently seeing another man (who I’ve heard is a great guy and everything that my dad is not) and It’s been a bit hard to grasp that at some point my mom may remarry. I’m glad to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel for my family, even if it may be a long way off.
Molly
Natasha,
Such a sweet, heart warming story. I am almost 25 years old and thought I found “the one”….until I realized he was unfaithful. We are currently on and off and trying to work through things. They always seem to know what they want…after they have lost it. However, getting past the unfaithfulness is the challenge. Feeling a little lost in where I will end up in life…this post made me smile and know that I will be taken care of and that I will end up where I am supposed to be.
Thank you for your positive stories and outlook on things. Your family is beautiful. Sending positive vibes and happiness back your way. Congrats to your friend Megan and her new family!
Jilly
This is the sweetest thing I have ever read in my life! 🙂 Thank you for sharing her story. Post’s like these are the reason why I love reading your blog.
QUASHAUNTA
That is such an awesome story. Thanks, for sharing! I am married and hope to not be in a situation like that ever! I am glad Megan has an amazing friend in you that she can rely on.
Beth
Megan’s sister is my sister in law. In fact, my mom is the lady holding the camera in the pic of Megan kissing her new husband. I have heard so much about you from Megan and her sister. I feel like I know you know, but really don’t. My husband and I were invited to the wedding. Unfortunately, I was sick and we missed the wedding. But, I have to say Megan has never been happier. She truly did meet her Prince Charming and deserves the happily ever after she has longed for.
Btw, I too have an auto-immune disease and reading your blog helped me so much. You were able to express the exasperation and desperation of the journey to find a diagnosis takes us on. It was a long rough road for me, but thankfully, with the right diagnosis and medication better than I have in a very very long time.
Natasha
You’re kidding?! What a small world huh? We should get together sometime!
Thank you for your kind words, I’m glad me talking about these things helps a bit, it certainly does from my end!
Danielle
Beautiful story! Thank you for sharing it with us <3
Ana
Thank you for this story. It is exactly what I needed. My husband cheated on me 2 years ago and I ended up staying with him to punish him when in fact I was punishing myself. Took me a while to realize why I was not happy though. We are now separated and I am alone with my two little ones. This gives me hope that I too can find my way through this horrible time in my life. It gives
me hope. Thanks for sharing.
Natasha
I’m so sorry Ana that you’re in that situation but I do truly believe that there is a happy ending out there for you, I hope you can be strong & grow in the meantime, I can’t imagine how hard it must be to be in your situation, hang in there my friend, it will get better!
rachel
what a lovely story – and a gorgeous family! i’m pretty confident that gd sent her soul mate later in her life so that she would have the children she was meant to have. it sounds like now her family is exactly as it was meant to be! <3
Natasha
I love that answer Rachel! I’ll be sure to pass it along… (: