I’m so sorry…

is the first thing that someone says when they hear that I’m getting divorced.

When two people decide to get a divorce, it isn’t a sign that they ‘don’t understand’ one another, but a sign that they have, at last, begun to.

Helen Rowland

I used to think that divorce was the easy way out. That it was something that you did when you no longer felt like “working” on your relationship. That it was a self-indulgent cop-out.

I’ve always been that girl who takes commitments seriously and thought that when I was 17 years old I knew what was right for me.

I thought that the issues that have always been there in that relationship would miraculously change for the better.

Year after year I lost a little bit more of who I was and found ways to cope and convince myself that staying was the right thing to do.

There were many times during that 37 year relationship that I tried to leave but always got pulled back in. I knew deep down how difficult it would be to break free so it just became easier to stay in a dysfunctional marriage.

Last December I took the first step towards righting this wrong and today, almost a year to the date, my divorce is final.

So when you see me next…don’t say “I’m so sorry” but say “congratulations, I’m so happy for you”.

This coming year will be a very special one for me. I hope to complete my book “A Legacy of Lies” and have the time to focus fully on my passion for all things photographic.

There have been many people who have made my transition possible and I am incredibly grateful to each and every one of you.

Collectively you have offered me places to stay, shoulders to lean on, and been patient when I haven’t been able to fulfill every commitment. You’ve watched over my health and reached out when the stress became almost overwhelming. You’ve shown me how to protect myself and you’ve given me my confidence back. And always through each step along the way, you’ve given me love and shown me that it’s okay to be the girl that I am.

This year has been full of unexpected twists and turns which only serve to reinforce the concept that we are never completely in control of our destiny and often the better choice is to stay fluid and roll with what comes your way.

Thank you…