Unconditional Love Evaluation

...I once knew a love that was all-consuming. It was a love that blinded me to the red flags, that made me excuse the inexcusable, and that convinced me to stay long after I should have left.

I loved him with every fiber of my being - his smile, his quirks, his passions. I loved watching him play video games, even if his cooking was a different story. I thought his awkward attempts at affection were his way of showing love, because he didn't know how to express it any other way and I just went along with it.

But as time went on, I realized that my love wasn't being reciprocated in a healthy way. He didn't take care of the children, he cheated, and allowed his family to disrespect me. He never took responsibility for his actions, and the disrespect and hurt continued to pile up.

Despite all this, I stayed. I made excuses for him, I blamed myself, and I waited for him to change. But it didn't happen. Instead, I came to realize that my love for him wasn't unconditional - it was enabling. It was allowing him to continue hurting me without consequence.

It took me a long time to come to terms with this, but I finally realized that I deserved better. I deserved to be loved and respected in return. So I made the difficult decision to leave, prioritizing my own well-being and that of my children.

✨️It's been a journey of healing and growth, but I'm grateful for the lessons I've learned. I've learned that love shouldn't hurt, that respect is non-negotiable, and that I am worthy of being loved and cherished.✨️