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We weren’t going to make it – my ex and I.

Why are you bringing this up?

I was working on – and still am, understanding that what I’ve done and the results of it are more than enough. Particularly because it is toxic to do otherwise.

It hit me this morning, as I went searching for these photos. He was definitely a test. I had come to love all that I do, and with 🥀The Fray🥀 enjoyed the route I was on, as I decided to take my time. When rewards popped up after I finished my book, that is when things shifted.

Except he always felt jealous towards me. It didn’t show until something monetary or some part of fame reared its head.

Despite all of my major accomplishments. (Btw, anyone who’s paid to be listed in the Marquis’ Who’s Who is foolish. I’m inducted and chose not to pay for anything) I still saw I needed to take my time.

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2025 was a test for the both of us. I was juggling taking care of my dying mother, editing, being with him and more than anything…being a mother. Along comes interviews, publications, invites, new job opportunities…then boom – nominated.

It would make anyone’s head spin. I saw that this was great but I was still choosing a simple life. A garden, plants everywhere, cats…maybe a townhome. He would work, I would create.

Then one day he says – “I want to get you a mansion.”

Ew.

I didn’t want one. He constantly talked about it every night. Day in and day out – mansion this, money that. He became unrealistic. He quit his job. He lied about angels speaking to him. When nothing shifted (even after I warned him…twice).

He became openly jealous.

“Have you ever won a contest before?” His response to me being first in several rounds for a Maxim contest. He finished #42 for a competition he decided not to tell me about.

And when I started working for Amazon, reviewing items –

“What about me?”

I can wholeheartedly say no one can ever take credit for anything I’ve created. No one can ever suggest, “if it wasn’t for me…she wouldn’t have-“

Not a single soul.

So it was easy to rip myself from him, even though I was very disappointed. The state I left him in probably hasn’t shifted…

And that’s a scary thing, I’ve heard repetitive, detrimental patterns are being paid back in full this summer.

I’ve said all of this to say…I’ve built up what I do quite a bit, and nothing got in the way this time. It’s obvious I truly learned a valuable lesson in all of this.

I chose myself from the beginning.