From Brokenness to Breakthrough: How My Journey Led Me to Relationship Coaching

 

When Gary and I first met in 2016, we weren’t looking for fairy tales—we were just two people trying to survive life’s storms. We’d both been knocked down, carrying scars we rarely spoke of. But when we found each other, something changed. For the first time in a long time, we felt hope. Together, we became a refuge—a place where we could just be, without judgment.

 

Two years later, we went on a cruise to celebrate my birthday, and Gary surprised me with a proposal. I’ll never forget the surge of joy, the feeling that we were stepping into something bigger than ourselves. In January 2020, we stood before friends, family, and God, vowing to face life’s challenges as a team. But life had a way of testing those vows far sooner than we imagined.

 

Just two months into our marriage, the world came to a standstill. The COVID-19 pandemic forced us into lockdown, and overnight, our lives turned upside down. Add to that the shocking yet exciting news of our first pregnancy, and what should have been a season of bliss quickly became a pressure cooker of stress, isolation, and uncertainty.

Morning sickness replaced romantic breakfasts in bed, and the fear of COVID took away our favorite outings - Escape Rooms, Dine-in Movie theaters and fun restaurants. The endless demands of pregnancy, combined with the strain of navigating a pandemic, left little room for connection.

 

Our wonderful baby boy was born in December 2020, 4 days before Christmas. My anxiety and fear of him getting sick impeded my breastmilk, and my difficulty breastfeeding built frustration all-round. It was all so difficult on our marriage, but we were OK, and two years later, we had our beautiful baby girl in September 2022. As incredible as these blessings were, sleepless nights blurred into exhausting days, and somewhere in between diaper changes and building a life for our children, we lost sight of us.

 

By 2023, we were at our breaking point. Building our dream home became more of a battleground than a shared vision. No matter what I did, I couldn’t seem to bridge the growing chasm between us. We tried Marriage Therapy. I thought it would save us—but instead, it felt like we were ripping open wounds with no tools to heal them.

The silence between us became unbearable. Arguments spiraled into stonewalling, and wounds deepened, until even the word "us" felt like a distant memory. Then the final straw of infidelity broke me.

The heartbreak seeped into every corner of my life. I stopped reaching out to friends, too ashamed to admit my marriage was falling apart. At work, I dimmed my light, shrinking under the weight of my struggles. It wasn’t until I found myself crying after a meeting with my manager—his words echoing the condescension I felt at home—that I realized I couldn’t keep living this way.

 

In my desperation, I reached out to a life coach. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I needed something to change. And that’s when everything began to shift.

My coach didn’t just give me advice—she held up a mirror and reminded me of the woman I used to be. She saw me as strong, capable, and deserving of love, even when I couldn’t see it myself. Through her guidance, I started peeling back the layers of pain I’d carried for so long. Slowly, I began to reclaim my voice. I set boundaries at work and opened myself up to vulnerability with new friendships at church.

 

The final piece she could not help me with was my marriage. I dove into every book and research I could find, I took courses and certifications to find the answers to mend my marriage. Finally, things stated to come together, I began to see my husband in a new light—not as an adversary, but as a man carrying his own pain. We learned how to communicate again—how to speak without blame and listen without defensiveness. We stopped pushing each other away and began pulling each other closer.

And as we healed, our children witnessed something extraordinary: a home transformed by love and respect. They saw a mom and dad who weren’t perfect but who were committed to showing up for each other, for themselves, and for them.

 

That journey didn’t just save my marriage—it ignited a calling in me. I realized that the struggles I faced weren’t just lessons for my own life; they were seeds of purpose planted by God. My pain had prepared me to walk alongside others, helping them navigate their own storms.

 

Today, as a Certified Thriving Relationship Coach trained in Attachment Theory and principles from the Gottman Institute, I get to witness something truly miraculous. In my sessions, I see love come to life. Couples rediscover the emotional closeness that forms the essence of a secure bond. They rebuild trust, regain safety, and learn how to face life’s challenges as a united team.

 

At Flourishing Hearts, I’ve created a space where every client feels seen, valued, and safe. Here, diversity is celebrated, and no story is too broken to find redemption. Whether you’re seeking a little nourishment or a full transformation, I’m here to help you cultivate a love that not only survives but thrives.

God let me walk through the storm for a reason. Every tear I cried, every sleepless night, and every moment of doubt prepared me for this mission. I know what it’s like to feel lost, but I also know the beauty of finding your way back.

If you’re ready to rewrite your story, I’d be honored to walk this journey with you. Because every storm ends—and on the other side, there’s a love that can truly flourish.