My Domestic Violence Story: Starting My Transparency Journey
Life often looks perfect on the outside. I’m a Nurse Practitioner, a wife, a mom, and I juggle countless roles every day. But behind the smiles, accomplishments, and seemingly “picture-perfect” life, there have been struggles—moments that tested my strength, faith, and resilience.
I want to start this blog by sharing a story from my past, a story I’ve kept private for years, not because it doesn’t matter, but because it was painful and terrifying. My hope in sharing it now is to show that healing is possible, that even after the hardest seasons, there is hope, strength, and life beyond trauma.
The Struggle
When I was 19 and in nursing school, I found myself in a tumultuous relationship that quickly spiraled into emotional, verbal, and physical abuse. There were threats, control, manipulation, stalking, taunting, and constant humiliation—all while I was trying to keep up with classes.
I was scared and completely alone. I didn’t tell my family because I feared for their safety—my abuser had threatened to harm them if I ever spoke up. That fear kept me captive in a relationship that broke my spirit and stripped away the woman I once was and the woman I hoped to become.
Being held hostage and tortured, shamed and humiliated in front of others, and later held at gunpoint were moments that changed me forever. My life literally flashed before my eyes. I was living in survival mode, terrified to make the wrong move.
Over time, I learned to dissociate just to cope. I buried the pain so deep that I convinced myself it didn’t exist. I didn’t realize how bad things truly were until I was finally free. But freedom didn’t mean healing—it meant facing the trauma I had avoided for years.
It’s taken years to unlock the pain I buried and to rebuild my sense of self. Even now, there are moments and triggers that bring pieces of it back. Some days, healing feels like reopening old wounds—but it’s through that process that I’ve found strength, compassion, and purpose.
When I look back now, I know it could have only been God that carried me through that season. The fact that I graduated nursing school—while enduring abuse, raising a child, and pretending everything was okay—is nothing short of a miracle. I’m in awe of my own strength and resilience to push through such a rigorous program all while hiding so much pain behind my smile.
The Turning Point
Late one night, after being assaulted and suffering a concussion, I found the courage to finally speak up. It was just weeks before finishing nursing school, and my daughter was only 2 years old. I realized it was time to choose me, her, and a life better. That moment marked the beginning of my freedom, the first step toward reclaiming my life, and the start of a healing journey that continues to this day.
The Aftermath
The impact of that relationship didn’t end when I left. I dealt with PTSD, depression, anxiety, postpartum struggles, and relationship trauma for years. I didn’t always know how to advocate for myself or recognize my value. Every step forward felt uncertain, and some days, survival itself was the victory.
But God was with me. He brought me through, covered me, and helped me find strength I didn’t know I had. Therapy in recent years has given me the words to express my experiences and begin to fully process and heal from them.
Why I’m Sharing This Story
I share this today because I want other women to know: success and healing are possible after pain. Even after trauma that leaves deep scars, there is a path to resilience, confidence, and joy. My story is one of survival, but it’s also one of thriving beyond survival.
I am living proof that even when life feels unbearable, there is hope. You can heal. You can reclaim your worth. You can thrive. And you are not alone.
My Transparency Journey
Through this blog, I’ll share more of my journey, insights I’ve learned, and tools to help women, moms, wives, and professionals navigate life’s challenges. Life is messy and complex, and it’s time we normalize transparency about our struggles—because real connection, healing, and growth come from truth.
Healing begins when we break the silence. If my story resonated with you, or if you’ve walked a similar path, I’d love to hear from you. Your voice matters here. Feel free to share your thoughts, encouragement, or even your own healing journey in the comments below. I want this to be more than just my story—I want it to be our space for real conversations about pain, growth, and God’s grace.
Let’s remind one another—we’re never alone in this fight for freedom and peace. 💜
