I wanted to share a good recovery story, since so many are wondering if it can happen.
Background: the bad times were very bad, and long, 2+ years. H had an 18 mo. PA with a co-worker (whom he still works with), we had 7 separations 14 of 21 months apart, after a long Plan A, I served D papers and got involved with a male friend, which made reconciliation even more unlikely. So, we had many strikes against the possibility of our recovery.
In May of 2000, after my H had done his own Plan A to me for 3-4 months, gone on his own to our counselor and other accountability, trust-earning lovebank fillers, both of our OP with as little contact as possible (work & neighborhood made absolutely no contact difficult), H moved back in.
This past weekend we went with another couple to Florida for 4 days, the Monday Night football game (Bucs vs Rams) being the reason for the timing. We had so much fun. Monday we spent the morning and early afternoon at the beach, and eating. Went to the tailgate parties about 6, wandered around eating, drinking beer. The game was so festive, the weather warm. The Rams lost <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> , but still being there and cheering was quite the experience and the other couple we were with, Bucs fans, were happy with the game's outcome.
The next day simply was one of the best days of my life, at least for recreation & good times. Beach hopping, beach bar hopping, dolphin spotting, buckets of Corona, peel & eat shrimp, high waves for body surfing because of the hurricane many miles away, enough sun, and laughing, lots & lots of laughing, dumb jokes with our friends. Dressing up for the evening, finding a wonderful restaurant, eating tuna steaks with wasabi & mango sauces, drinking fine wine. After dinner drinks at a revolving bar high atop the beach, dancing, more laughing, walking back to our hotel in the sand and surf, holding hands.
Perfect. All good feelings of being in love and being companionable. No lingering hurt or worry or takers arising.
I know we are so fortunate to have our marriage recover and our family together. It was a hard road to get here...but we've done it with the help of MB, a great counselor, faith, hope, love, patience, and mutual effort.
Now, back to realities where the cool autumn has begun and my day's goal isn't an ice cold Corona...or margaritas on the deck of a beach bar <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> .
There are happy outcomes here.
