Growing up in Maine, I never imagined the path my life would take. In the 1970s, I married a Navy serviceman in my twenties, full of hope and excitement. Shortly after our wedding, we moved to Florida, beginning a life of constant change.

Being a military wife was harder than I expected. I was far from family and friends, and with long deployments, I often felt alone. At the time, I didn’t fully understand my mental health struggles. Just as I’d start to feel settled, we would move again, new jobs, new friends left behind. The constant upheaval was exhausting.

Over time, my marriage changed. The man I once loved became controlling and verbally abusive. When he was home, sadness weighed heavily on me. When he deployed, I felt relief, but also guilt for feeling that way. I tried to justify staying, telling myself he faced hardships too, but deep down, I was losing myself.

After 25 years, we returned to Maine when he retired. I hoped we could rebuild our relationship, but that didn’t happen. I even followed him to Long Island, NY, hoping to reconnect away from the chaos, but the abuse worsened. Finally, I found the courage to leave.

Returning to Maine, my family and friends welcomed me with open arms. Their love and support helped me start healing. This was a new chapter, one where I could look forward instead of back.

Now, with a better understanding of my mental health, I see how strong I was even during the darkest times. Today, I use that strength to guide me forward on my journey.