What happens when the ghosts of relationships past come knocking? When an ex-boyfriend from 1972 sends photographs capturing a beautiful 25-year-old version of yourself, it's natural to reminisce—but dangerous to romanticize. Today, I'm sharing a deeply personal journey through my relationship history and the wisdom that only 77 years of living can provide.
Those vintage photographs transport me back to a time when I left my first marriage seeking something better—not realizing the security I was walking away from. Young, gorgeous, with "a body to die for" and riding high on newfound freedom, I made choices that seemed exciting at the time. One boyfriend even introduced me to Quaaludes, part of a lifestyle that eventually led me to nearly 40 years of sobriety.
Against this backdrop, I read you a powerful cautionary tale written by Diane Berent Guth about "detonating" her life—abandoning a 20-year marriage, two children, and suburban stability for a handsome widower who quickly revealed himself as controlling and abusive. Her Hollywood fantasy rapidly descended into trauma, false imprisonment, and regret. The parallel to my own youthful choices isn't lost on me, though thankfully my story took a different turn.
Now, after 23 years with my current husband, I've found something worth holding onto. The stability of a committed relationship—imperfections and all—outshines any fleeting excitement or nostalgia. When I declare "I will never, ever leave him," it comes from a place of genuine appreciation for what matters most. Remember, as TikTok Bubbie always says: don't detonate your life over a fantasy. Take it from someone who's been there and learned the hard way—sometimes staying put is the wisest move of all. Have you ever been tempted to throw away something good for something that merely seemed exciting? Share your thoughts and let's talk about making choices we won't regret.
Support the show
MORNIN BITCHES PODCAST