This is embarrassing to write, but I have to tell this story.

Here's the backstory: I was married to a LVM for 15 years, together for 17 years. I married him when I was barely 19. I put him through college and dropped out of college myself (going back later in life after having children). I birthed 3 of his children. Together we bought 2 houses over the course of our marriage. The most recent babe was born in summer of 2019.

On V-Day of 2019, I text LVM a photo of one of the secretary's bouquet of flowers with the caption, "Somebody loves the secretary". (I know total PickMeisha desperate behavior). LVM responds with "Somebody loves you too. Didn't they get delivered?" At this point I am over the moon - he's never sent me flowers before in my entire life or those 14 years of marriage ( not after any child was born, not after I graduate from law school, not after I pass the bar exam, Never). We text banter back and forth about how sweet he is. He texts, "Let me check the order status..." I text back later in the day, "Babe I don't know if your flowers are gonna make it. You should call them." LVM NEVER sent me the flowers. LVM told me later that day that it was a joke. LVM told me that I should have known he would never send me flowers and I shouldn't expect that from him. I was humiliated, weeping, destroyed - it was awful. And I stayed. I don't know WTF was wrong with me.

Summer of 2019 LVM cheats on me. We separate. We're in the long and protracted process of getting divorced.

New Man in my life on V-Day 2020, he sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers at work yesterday. He took me to a lovely dinner. He bought me a beautiful pearl necklace. He bought me flowers and a giftcard to a store I like. Tonight he's bringing over dinner and some treats for my kids.

Moral of the story: Before FDS I let absolutely abhorrent mean behavior fly without question. After splitting up and finding FDS I expect the world, because that's what I'm worth.

LADIES, YOU ARE WORTH ALL THE EFFORT. AND IF HE'S A HVM HE'S WORTH THE EFFORT TOO. DON'T SETTLE. YOU ARE WORTH THE WORLD. Happy Valentine's Day and what a difference a year makes.