It was an ordinary Tuesday—until my phone rang. The caller ID said “HOME,” and I knew something was wrong. I answered, hearing my daughter, Alice, whisper, “Mommy left.”
She had taken her suitcase and said, “Wait for Daddy,” before driving away. I rushed home to find Laurel gone, with only a note saying she would explain in a week.
Seven days later, I saw Laurel on the news, talking about her struggles with anxiety and mental health. I had no idea. She’d been suffering in silence.
That evening, I found her at a community event. She explained she couldn’t stay because she wasn’t taking care of herself. We promised to work on our marriage and support each other.
Over time, things improved. I restructured my life for family, and Laurel began therapy. We found a marriage counselor and learned to truly see each other. Love is about showing up and understanding before it’s too late.
