I’ll never forget that weekend. I wish each birthday from here out is better than the last every year. I hope we get together to celebrate you many many more times. 🫶
Takes a warrior to know one. ❤️ to think before this all happened, I would lay in bed at night and read your memoir, feeling so seen for what I was experiencing. I’m forever grateful for it.
How did I forget that adorable birthday jingle. You took me right back to learning it. I had no idea that was a last min intervention 😭🥹 so beautiful friend. I’m so proud of you
Erica, I had no idea you had emergency surgery last year on top of everything else you went through. I hope you have had a full recovery. 🙏 I, too, am so glad you are alive! 🙏🙏🙏
Erica, as I have said before, you are a very brave, strong and resilient young lady. I shared my story with you last year when I had learned what you were going through.
I, too, married my soulmate. We met my junior year at OU and were inseparable. People called us Barbie and Ken (LOL). Everyone used to say, “If our marriage doesn’t survive, nobody’s will.” We built our dream home in a beautiful community, were blessed with two beautiful boys and with incredible friends.
And then it all came crashing down.
My husband’s addiction to OxyContin and alcohol slowly consumed everything. After ten years of rehab stints, detox, job loss, and the inability to hold steady work, I was faced with the hardest decision of my life. No matter how much I loved him or tried to support his recovery, we were drowning. I finally realized that if he didn’t do the hard work — truly want sobriety — nothing I did, nothing therapists did, nothing sponsors did could save him.
Walking away felt like a death. I was forcing the man I had loved for 23 years out of my life. I had to protect my boys and myself. He was not taking us down with him.
Once I made the decision to leave, something unexpected happened: a crushing weight lifted from my shoulders. I still remember where I was and what I was doing when it happened. The only thing that mattered was that my boys and I were safe, healthy, and together under one roof.
There were dark, painful years — some truly unbearable moments. But my boys and I came out the other side safe and whole, and that is a blessing beyond words. Before my mom passed away a few years ago, she said she was so sorry that my boys and I had to go through all of that and I told her I would go through every bit of it again just to have my two incredible sons and this deep, daily sense of gratitude for life.
I was grateful before — but now, every day feels like a gift. I try to live every day with intention. I fall short sometimes (often), but I wake up each morning and do my best. That’s all any of us can do.
I am grateful that you did not have children to worry about during your own fight, Erica. 🙏 I truly believe everything happens for a reason. I still pray to fully understand my purpose — though maybe it really is as simple, and as profound, as being the best mom I can be to my boys.
Because of what I’ve endured — and survived — I’ve been able to help others navigating the brutal reality of addiction, whether they are struggling themselves or loving someone who is. I will keep my heart open and my eyes wide for whatever purpose may still be unfolding.
You are so blessed to have such a loving family and circle of friends. Please never hesitate to lean on us when you feel afraid, lost, or overwhelmed. That is not weakness — it is strength.
I know you’ve got this. 🥰
I am so excited to follow this next chapter and project of yours. You have an extraordinary gift, and I cannot wait for the world to experience it. ❤️
Matthew and Kyle are so lucky for the way you showed up for yourself and for them back then. Thank you for your vulnerability, Kelly. Your openness for both the pain and gratitude you’ve experienced because of that one decision all those years ago, is a testament to the strong, purposeful woman you are! I’m filled with light reading your words, as they bear witness to how wounds can turn to wisdom, and our pain to purpose.
I’ll never forget that weekend. I wish each birthday from here out is better than the last every year. I hope we get together to celebrate you many many more times. 🫶
💞 Thank you Matt. I can’t wait for all the celebrations and years to come. I love you!
What causes this? Men. Stress.
You are such a beautiful writer, Erica.
Your story is powerful. You are a warrior. Keep sharing, keep changing the world.
You are loved by so many. So lucky I get to be one!
Takes a warrior to know one. ❤️ to think before this all happened, I would lay in bed at night and read your memoir, feeling so seen for what I was experiencing. I’m forever grateful for it.
The world is always conspiring for us 🫶🏻
How did I forget that adorable birthday jingle. You took me right back to learning it. I had no idea that was a last min intervention 😭🥹 so beautiful friend. I’m so proud of you
Forever grateful for that alternative birthday song and the people surrounding me that day ❤️
Erica, I had no idea you had emergency surgery last year on top of everything else you went through. I hope you have had a full recovery. 🙏 I, too, am so glad you are alive! 🙏🙏🙏
Erica, as I have said before, you are a very brave, strong and resilient young lady. I shared my story with you last year when I had learned what you were going through.
I, too, married my soulmate. We met my junior year at OU and were inseparable. People called us Barbie and Ken (LOL). Everyone used to say, “If our marriage doesn’t survive, nobody’s will.” We built our dream home in a beautiful community, were blessed with two beautiful boys and with incredible friends.
And then it all came crashing down.
My husband’s addiction to OxyContin and alcohol slowly consumed everything. After ten years of rehab stints, detox, job loss, and the inability to hold steady work, I was faced with the hardest decision of my life. No matter how much I loved him or tried to support his recovery, we were drowning. I finally realized that if he didn’t do the hard work — truly want sobriety — nothing I did, nothing therapists did, nothing sponsors did could save him.
Walking away felt like a death. I was forcing the man I had loved for 23 years out of my life. I had to protect my boys and myself. He was not taking us down with him.
Once I made the decision to leave, something unexpected happened: a crushing weight lifted from my shoulders. I still remember where I was and what I was doing when it happened. The only thing that mattered was that my boys and I were safe, healthy, and together under one roof.
There were dark, painful years — some truly unbearable moments. But my boys and I came out the other side safe and whole, and that is a blessing beyond words. Before my mom passed away a few years ago, she said she was so sorry that my boys and I had to go through all of that and I told her I would go through every bit of it again just to have my two incredible sons and this deep, daily sense of gratitude for life.
I was grateful before — but now, every day feels like a gift. I try to live every day with intention. I fall short sometimes (often), but I wake up each morning and do my best. That’s all any of us can do.
I am grateful that you did not have children to worry about during your own fight, Erica. 🙏 I truly believe everything happens for a reason. I still pray to fully understand my purpose — though maybe it really is as simple, and as profound, as being the best mom I can be to my boys.
Because of what I’ve endured — and survived — I’ve been able to help others navigating the brutal reality of addiction, whether they are struggling themselves or loving someone who is. I will keep my heart open and my eyes wide for whatever purpose may still be unfolding.
You are so blessed to have such a loving family and circle of friends. Please never hesitate to lean on us when you feel afraid, lost, or overwhelmed. That is not weakness — it is strength.
I know you’ve got this. 🥰
I am so excited to follow this next chapter and project of yours. You have an extraordinary gift, and I cannot wait for the world to experience it. ❤️
Matthew and Kyle are so lucky for the way you showed up for yourself and for them back then. Thank you for your vulnerability, Kelly. Your openness for both the pain and gratitude you’ve experienced because of that one decision all those years ago, is a testament to the strong, purposeful woman you are! I’m filled with light reading your words, as they bear witness to how wounds can turn to wisdom, and our pain to purpose.