D-day 2/13. Perfect timing just before I’d been building up the most thoughtful Valentine’s Day in our 10 year marriage (12 together) as since the beginning of the year I’ve felt like 2025 was going to be the best year ever and had no reason not to. Dramatic and significant positive changes have been made in our relationship after a number of unhappy years. Think roommate phase, three little kids, work, life, routine, etc. and not giving our relationship the attention it needs to thrive. We are emotionally and physically connected better than ever, the sex is beyond amazing as we venture into all kinds of unknown territory. Them boom! Out of the blue (for me at least) the dreaded “I want a divorce”, there’s nothing to save it, no chance of reconciling, etc. I’ll save the details but it was a betrayal and complete abandonment that resulted in the most painful experience of my life. An emotional roller coaster ride from hell. Swinging from completely amicable one week to the possibility of nasty litigation the next. Being in total agreement with the terms to all out war over everything depending on the weather. Such a miserable way to live. Long story short, in mid June, I give her one last opportunity to sit down, take control back of our fate or let the attorneys battle it out and lose much if not all our estate in the process. She agrees, meeting goes wonderfully. Send the terms to my counsel, and then over to hers. She reassured me several times of little to no changes, promises me that she’s not sneaking anything in. Well, that was a total lie. The single biggest financial factor in the whole this was drastically one sided, obviously in her favor. I was irate but we still managed to negotiate directly and get within $500 over 10 years or just $5k total. She finally conceded and it we were right at the finish line. Nope, her attorney gets in her ear and the next day I’m sent a message basically saying prepare for war. Well I’d be damned! Next comes a constant onslaught of accusations, threats, claims, etc. All your typical shit we see every day in this sub. Except she’s asking for mediation in lieu of the long awaited temporary orders hearing. Quite a strange move strategically from my opinion based on the fact that until now, there were no rules and if mediation fails, several more weeks until the next opportunity. Mind you, the free for all, I see as a net benefit for me and of little benefit to her. I agree. Meditation finished just a couple hours ago. Success fellas, my attorney and I hit a home run! Achieving every strategic goal we set with acceptable concessions. I keep the marital home, with the ultra low interest rate (ie. no refinance and she stays on the loan). This was top priority in addition to 50/50 custody and absolutely equal rights to the three little ones. Wasn’t forced to pay her share outright but rather agreed to acceptable payment terms over the next 8 years. Agreed to a one time lump sum payment of $36k for alimony/spousal support (we’re in Texas) so it’s one and done with supplementing her income. Child support agreed to at several hundred less than the state calculated minimum based on my income. Downside, had to sweeten the pot up front for her by giving her some accounts and valuables worth about $15k and assuming some $20k of debt that was mostly hers but still considered joint marital debt. I’ll call it a win and I can resume my life and focus on my kids! It’ll take some time to recover but the play was always the long game as she needed the immediate financial relief. I’ve been reading y’all’s nightmares for months. Hoping for the best and planning for the worst. Today is a good day my brothers! Hang in there!