Documents are co-signed and filed with the county divorce court. They have notified me of the final hearing date. A little over a month away. It will seem like an eternity.

I discovered my STBXW was having an affair in March. Kicked her out, and promptly hired an attorney that same week. It's been a long hard slog both physically and emotionally ever since D-Day mid-March; learning to live alone, working with the attorney, dealing with her emotional lashings over anything she could muster up, attempting to co-parent, maintaining effort at my job, focusing on myself, being present for my son.

I know deep down though, I did the best I could as a husband during the marriage, I was a fully committed and supportive partner from every aspect that a good partner could be. I upheld the vows and the contract in good faith for all 7 years, since day 1. I chose to end the marriage. I believe in what marriage is supposed to be, and what was occurring in mine (or outside of it) was not it. She failed as a wife; she failed me, our son, and all the family and friends that supported us.

Now I'm looking forward to the future. I've been working out daily and am in the best shape I've been in probably 10 years. I get compliments all the time, never had that before. I am keeping my house, and have invested time in improving it, and have big plans for it. I've dipped my toe into OLD (a first for me), just to see what's out there, and it looks promising, although I'm in no rush to get back into dating. Most importantly, I'm planning all kinds of adventures for my son next year when things stabilize.

This isn't the story I was planning to write this year, but as this unexpected chapter comes to a close, for the first time, I am feeling a sense of relief.

One final thing is for sure : I will never marry again.