10/01/2025
I met Paul at 21. He was 32, newly widowed with two kids. We had a whirlwind dating period during which he introduced me to the kids and got me involved in their lives VERY early on (the first few days after I met him). He said I was "the one," not just for him but for his children.
We married when I was 22, with his daughter Mia (7) and son John (5) standing beside us. Our wedding ceremony also included me and the kids making promises to each other, which was Paul's idea.
But almost immediately, Paul dumped all the childcare on me, even though I worked full-time. He spent his evenings gaming, saying he "DESERVED to relax" because he paid the bills—though that wasn't really true.
Worse, he developed this attitude with me and pushed the kids to follow. They thought it was funny. Before long he was openly disrespecting me and teaching them to do the same. He got to be the "fun dad," while I was painted as the "mean witch." Sometimes they'd gang up and mock me, yet they still expected me to serve them and jump up for every little thing.
By the end of the first year, I knew I'd made a mistake. But I felt guilty breaking promises to the kids. Eventually, two years later, I couldn't take it anymore. One day I packed my things, left a note, and walked out.
The divorce was bitter but simple—we each left with what we brought in.
That was 16 years ago. I've since remarried and had children of my own.
Then, out of nowhere, I got a message from Mia that brought tears to my eyes. The kind of message you never expect, but never forget. check in the first comment👇