My husband and I recently went on holiday to Mexico. However, my husband refused to take pictures of me or to take pictures with me together. When I asked him why, he said he was not in the mood.
His behaviour deeply upset and embarrassed me. I also noticed that he started hiding his phone from me.
Suspecting something was wrong, I took his phone while he was in the shower and checked his recent messages. When I opened his group chat with his friends, tears came to my eyes.
He wrote, ‘Can you guys believe it, at her weight she still wants me to take pictures of her! Where does she even fit in the photo! She’s not the same as she used to be since she gave birth.’
I was devastated. Our marriage wasn’t perfect, but all these years I had truly believed that he loved me and accepted me for who I was.
I put my husband’s phone back where it belonged and decided to get revenge. I posted pictures of myself on Facebook with the caption, ‘Accepted myself and enjoying our moments together. #LoveYourself #MemoriesofTourism.’ To my surprise, the response was overwhelming. Friends and family filled the comments with compliments and support, sharing their stories of self acceptance.
Seeing this outpouring of love made me feel empowered. That evening, I met with my husband. ‘I saw your messages. How could you say that about me?’ His face turned pale, realising the pain of his words.
‘I… I didn’t realise how much it would affect you,’ he stammered, tears coming to his eyes. ‘I was insecure after the baby was born and I took it out on you. I’m sorry.’
Instead of holding onto the grudge, I chose forgiveness. ‘We need to support each other, especially now. Let’s work on this together.’
Touched by my response, he agreed to counselling. Over the following weeks we attended sessions, rebuilding trust and understanding. He became more attentive, and I felt loved again.
After a few months, our relationship was stronger than ever. We continued to capture our memories, both in photographs and in heartfelt conversations. My initial act of vulnerability transformed our marriage, turning tears into laughter and pain into resilience.
Our holiday in Mexico was a turning point, reminding us that love is never perfect, but with honesty and effort it can overcome any challenge. We learnt to appreciate each other for who we are, creating a deeper and more meaningful bond.
