I was devastated when my husband uttered those words – "I love you, but I'm not 'in love' anymore." The heartbreak was real, and his suggestion of a "break" was his attempt at letting me down easy. Of course I did not know that at the time. Sure our marriage wasn't perfect, but I had said those sacred vows and I meant them. And I was not ready to see that he WAS ready to move on with his life, without me as his wife. That is partly why I kept hoping and praying and bending over backwards to get him to see the value in me even when I didn't see it in myself.

The dreams I had for our future were gone, my financial security was gone. I was an unemployed, stay at home mom who now had to pick up the pieces of a life I didn't recognize anymore. And so my road to healing was paved with a lot of false starts, mistakes, and struggles to rebuild my self-worth.

And let me tell you, it was a messy journey. No podcasts, no Facebook groups – just me, a bunch of library books, and a whole lot of determination. But here's the thing – I made it through. Five years later, I was a financially secure, gainfully employed, divorced single mom, driving my dream car (a mustang). And I was also able to purchase a home all by myself!

The newly separated me could have never imagined that this was possible. But I did it and I had never before felt so proud of myself for pushing through and getting there.

And then, one day while enjoying some time with family, I felt an overwhelming sense of contentment. I remember vividly having the thought that I was at peace with my new life. I was safe, I was happy, I was thriving, all things I once thought I would never be again.

But my story didn't end there; it only marked the beginning of a new chapter. Today, I stand before you, fueled by my "Why", which is because I've walked in your shoes, battled your battles, and I have seen what it looks like on the other side.

If I would have had someone to guide me, a mentor who already knew the path, who could have offered me a roadmap of the journey I needed to take. A woman who would have supported me, who would have empowered me, who would have pushed me on the days I felt paralyzed to move forward, I think I could have avoided many of the pitfall I took along the way.

This journey isn't one I'd wish on anyone, yet many of us find ourselves on it. My purpose is crystal clear – to show you that you possess the strength, the resilience, and the fire to make it through this.

I look forward to being there with my arm on your shoulder, when you turn back with pride to see how far you have come!