Promises of Forever, Love that began with hope.

Liza was just seventeen, full of life and big dreams. She was the kind of girl who could light up a room with her laughter, even when life wasn’t easy. Growing up in a small town with few opportunities, Liza had always believed in love—the kind that made you feel invincible.
John was her first. The charming twenty-year-old had an effortless way of making Liza feel like she was the center of the universe. Their love was intense and exhilarating, and when Liza found out she was pregnant, she believed it was a sign they were meant to be.
Despite the gossip in the town, John convinced her to marry him. “We’ll build a beautiful life together,” he promised, holding her trembling hands.
The first few years of their marriage felt like a dream. John worked tirelessly to provide for their little family, while Liza cared for their son, Ryan. Their home was small but filled with laughter and love.
By the time their daughter, Emily, was born two years later, Liza believed she had it all. John was her angel—the man who had rescued her from the shame of being a teenage mother and given her a life she could be proud of.
Their weekends were filled with picnics by the lake, spontaneous dancing in the kitchen, and whispered promises of forever.
As the years passed, the cracks began to show. John’s long work hours became longer, and his patience grew thinner. He started drinking, first to celebrate small victories at work, then to escape the pressures of life.
Liza noticed the change but dismissed it as stress. She reminded herself of the good times and believed things would get better. “Every marriage has its rough patches,” she told herself.
But the rough patches turned into deep rifts. John’s temper flared often, and his words cut deeper than any knife. “You’re lucky I stayed with you,” he spat one evening after an argument about finances.
One night, after a particularly heated argument, John shoved Liza in a fit of rage. It wasn’t the physical pain that hurt her the most—it was the realization that the man she once saw as her angel could be the source of her deepest wounds.
Liza stayed, hoping for change. She prayed, pleaded, and even blamed herself, thinking she could somehow fix him. But the cycle of love, anger, and apologies became predictable.
Her children, now old enough to understand, often huddled together in fear during their parents’ fights. It broke Liza’s heart to see the impact on them, but she didn’t know how to leave.
Ten years into their marriage, Liza knew she had to choose between saving herself or losing what little was left of her spirit.
One evening, after John came home drunk and threw a glass against the wall, narrowly missing Ryan, Liza decided enough was enough. “This isn’t love,” she whispered to herself as she packed her children’s bags.
With the help of a women’s shelter and a few trusted friends, Liza found the courage to leave. She filed for divorce, determined to create a better life for herself and her children.
Starting over wasn’t easy. Liza moved into a small apartment and took on multiple jobs to make ends meet. But for the first time in years, she felt free.
She returned to school, earning a degree in counseling to help others who had experienced what she had. Her children thrived in their new environment, and Liza found joy in watching them grow into compassionate, resilient individuals.
Ten years after leaving John, Liza stood on a stage, accepting an award for her work in supporting victims of domestic violence. She had built a thriving career and created a life filled with purpose and love.
John, who had never truly sought help for his demons, remained a distant memory. Liza no longer hated him; instead, she pitied the man who couldn’t see the beauty in the life they had built.
As she looked out into the audience, her heart swelled with pride. Her children, now young adults, smiled at her with admiration. They had seen their mother rise from the ashes, proving that even in tragedy, there was hope.
Liza’s story wasn’t just about heartbreak; it was about resilience. She learned that angels don’t always come with wings, and sometimes, they don’t come at all. But in their absence, she discovered the strength of her own.