Hannah here, hi everyone! I really want to share this experience, even though it’s not easy for me. I’m 38 years old and a mom to two amazing kids who are five and seven. I’ve been married to my husband, Luke, for nearly ten years. Like any couple, we’ve had our ups and downs. However, what happened during our latest trip to Mexico really shocked me more than anything else we’ve gone through.
A mother holding her young son and daughter | Source: Midjourney
Imagine this: we’re in Mexico, with stunning beaches and perfect weather all around us. I was super excited about this trip! Honestly, I had planned everything carefully because, as a mom, I don’t get many chances to relax.
Our aim for this getaway was to reconnect, chill out, and just have fun together. However, Luke was acting a bit odd right from the start. Whenever I asked him to take a picture with me or of me, he would always say no.
A white couple visiting Mexico for a holiday | Source: Midjourney
He could say things like, “I’m not really feeling it,” or, “Can we wait until later?” At first, I didn’t think much of it. Maybe he was just tired from traveling? But it kept happening.
I had on a new outfit that I bought just for this trip, and we were at this beautiful beach. It’s rare for me to feel confident, especially with two kids to take care of. “Can you take a picture of me with the sunset?” I asked Luke.
“Not right now, Hannah,” he replied, letting out a sigh.
A Caucasian female striking a photo at dusk on the shore | Source: Midjourney
I frowned, feeling a bit hurt. “Why not? It’ll only take a second.”
He shouted, “I told you I’m not in the mood,” and started to walk away.
That stung. We’re on vacation, so why can’t he just pause for a picture? I felt confused and embarrassed.
I noticed he was really protective of his phone throughout the trip. Whenever I walked by, he would hide the screen and even took it with him to the bathroom. I tried to push aside the uneasy feeling in my stomach that something was off.
An image of a cell phone on a bed in close-up | Source: Midjourney
One afternoon, while Luke was in the shower, I spotted his phone lying on the bed. As soon as I picked it up, my heart started pounding. I knew it was wrong to invade his privacy, but I couldn’t help myself. I quickly looked through his recent messages and unlocked the phone.
I found a group chat with his friends, and what I read made me feel sick. He had written, “Can you believe it? At her weight, she still wants me to take pictures of her.” I couldn’t believe he would say something like that. She had really changed a lot since giving birth.
A horrified female inspecting her phone | Source: Midjourney
Tears filled my eyes, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Behind me, the man I loved and the father of my children was saying really hurtful things. I thought we were a team and that he accepted me for who I was, but instead, he was mocking me in front of his friends.
I sat there in disbelief, putting his phone down. How could he do this? I felt crushed and betrayed. Even though our marriage had its problems, I never imagined he would think so little of me. I cried quietly so the kids wouldn’t notice.
A melancholic female patronizing a lodging room | Source: Midjourney
My tears finally dried up, and anger took their place. I refused to let him get away with what he said. I needed to show him that there are consequences for his words. That’s when an idea hit me.
I grabbed my phone and scrolled through the photos I had taken during the trip. I picked out my best ones and posted them on Facebook with the caption, “Looking for a new travel buddy.” Is my look so unattractive that even my partner doesn’t want to take pictures with me?
A woman on a beach taking a selfie | Source: Midjourney
The post quickly began to get likes and comments. Many of my friends and acquaintances sent me supportive messages. They were upset about what Luke had done and praised my photos, saying I looked beautiful. I didn’t go into detail about what he said, but it was clear what he meant.
When Luke came out of the shower, he noticed I was acting differently. “Is everything okay?” he asked, possibly sensing my worry.
A woman sitting in a room with her phone open | Source: Midjourney
“It’s okay,” I replied, keeping my focus on my phone. I couldn’t bring myself to look him in the eye because I was still feeling hurt and angry.
The next day, I was still shocked by Luke’s betrayal. His words about me lingered in my mind. But then something happened that made this already complicated situation even harder.
I found out just before our trip that my uncle, whom I had never met, had died and left me a large estate.
A man in his middle years is shown signing a document up close | Source: Midjourney
I believed it would be a nice surprise to share this news with Luke, so I intended to do it while we were on our trip. But after discovering how he really felt about me, I decided to keep it to myself.
That morning, Luke’s mom, who found out about the inheritance, somehow let him know. I had just finished packing our bags and was about to call off the trip when Luke walked in with a bunch of flowers.
I had seen him look embarrassed a few times before when he realized he had messed up.
\A female individual packing her bag | Source: Midjourney
He started by saying, “Hannah, I’m really sorry for everything,” while offering me the flowers. I took them quietly, curious about what else he would say.
“I know I’ve acted like a jerk,” he continued. That wasn’t the best thing to say. But, my dear, you could hire a trainer and lose some weight with your new money.
I was shocked by his words. Did he honestly believe that just saying sorry and suggesting I change myself for him with my inheritance would be enough? Filled with anger, I replied, “Maybe I will, Luke. But not so you can just look at me.”
An image of a man clutching a bunch of flowers up close | Source: Midjourney
His face looked so vulnerable. He assumed I would just let it go and move on. But I was done. This was the moment I couldn’t take anymore. “Luke, I’m getting a divorce,” I said, keeping my voice steady even though I was feeling a storm inside.
His jaw dropped, and his eyes widened in shock. Then, to my surprise, he started to cry. He begged, “Please, Hannah, don’t go.” “Without your money, all my plans are messed up. I was planning to get a new SUV to go off-roading with my friends.”
An image of a man sobbing up close | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t believe what was happening. It hit me that he didn’t think much of me at all. To him, my money was more important than our relationship or our family. I looked at him with a mix of pity and determination.
It seems like you value my money more than I do. You won’t use it or make me feel embarrassed just to get your SUV; you’ll have to figure it out another way. Luke, I’m done.
As I walked away, I felt a strange mix of relief and sadness. This wasn’t how I had pictured my life turning out, but I knew I had to take charge of my own happiness now.
A brand-new, black SUV pulled up by the wayside Extracted from Pexels
The rest of the day was spent planning my trip back home and starting the divorce process. My family and friends were always there for me, which helped me feel better about myself. With every message and comment, I regained my self-esteem and confidence.
I understood that I didn’t need Luke or anyone else to tell me I was valuable or beautiful. I was enough just as I was. I chose to move forward with my life, putting my children and myself first.
Three females interacting | Source: Midjourney
After that time, I started working out because I wanted to be stronger and healthier, not just because Luke mentioned it. I also spent more time with my friends, explored new hobbies, and even considered going back to school.
One day, I bumped into Luke at the mall. He gave me a sort of compliment that surprised me. “Hey! Hannah, I almost didn’t recognize you. You look different. How are you and the kids?”
I replied, “We’re doing great,” not wanting to continue the conversation.
“Hannah, I wanted to ask you if…”
A guy and woman conversing in a shopping center | Source: Midjourney
Luke, I’m running late. I need to be somewhere else. I’m really sorry, I said, and I started to walk away. I noticed that his usually calm and confident expression was now filled with sadness and confusion, which I caught out of the corner of my eye.
But now that I could finally live my life the way I wanted and feel good about myself, I wasn’t bothered by it anymore. Instead of dwelling on my broken marriage, I was ready to move forward with bravery and self-acceptance.
So, what do you think? Did I handle the situation well, or did I overreact a little? If you were in my shoes, what would you have done differently?
A cheerful woman standing next to a window | Source: Midjourney