It's been five years, almost exactly, and yet I found myself sitting in the same position now as I did then: a therapist's couch. Different man this time, but if I closed my eyes, I'd swear they were the same. Marriage proposal from a single, never married, no kids man followed by major freak out on his part and marriage counseling so he could point out all my perceived flaws as an excuse for leaving. After two sessions of listening to him tell the therapist how horrible I was, I decided enough was enough. And the next week when I returned to the therapist alone, the therapist told me I should consider myself lucky that it ended, no one would ever be able to meet my ex's unrealistic standards and demands.
So life has returned to normal since then, I spend my weekends sailing when I'm home, and now Christmas is just around the corner.
I'm living in New England for work these days, in a small college town of notable money. It's a beautiful town, but weird in its Stepford-wive-ness. I found myself in a meeting last week, wondering if I should go blonde to fit I'm better, as I looked around a room filled with blonde women, all wearing J.Crew and dripping in jewelry.
I don't know that I could pull off blonde, but at least it would hide all my grays!
But for now, I'm home for two weeks with the kids for the holidays before I return to New England, and just starting to get our Christmas going.
Wish me luck as I face the crowds of Christmas shoppers! I'm going to remind myself that it could be worse when I'm waiting in line behind 832,000 other last minute shoppers... I could still be in marriage counseling!
