Dated a guy in high school after getting out of an emotionally abusive relationship turned physical. New guy slowly starts controlling me over the course of 9 years. Really what he wants is a woman barefoot and in the kitchen to provide everything for him (as his mom did for him and his own father). He literally wanted me to take care of everything so his only responsibility was to play video games. He pushed me to not pursue schooling further, pushed me to stay at my dead end job, isolated me from my friends, etc. Again, it didn’t happen all at once.

Long story short: September he proposes after 8 years. November we decide to have a big wedding (against my wishes) that he insists on taking a joint loan out for that his family would gift back in cash for the wedding. January he totals my car. End of January he leaves me on the morning of my bridal shower for another woman that he’d been seeing for over a year. February I find out he maxed out my credit cards before leaving. March he knocks up the other woman.

Today: A little over a year later, I’ve almost paid off the cards (it was less stressful and easier this way since the loan still needed to be paid and that was under both our names). I’m starting a new job and going back to school online. I’m with a beyond loving and supportive man who has been there for me through all my anxiety problems. He pushes me to reach as high as I can, even at the expense of himself sometimes. I’ve never felt so supported in every way before.