After 23 years of marriage, I found myself pausing while cleaning the house, and for some reason, I glanced in the mirror. What I saw sh0cked me—a tired woman staring back. This wasn’t the joyful, bright-eyed girl from the wedding photo on the shelf nearby.
I knew something had to change, so I suggested to my husband that we go on a date for the first time in forever. I thought it’d be a chance to dress up, reconnect, and just relax.
But his response cut me deeper than I ever thought possible.
He looked at me and said, “I’m not going anywhere with YOU! You don’t look like the kind of person who’s welcome in expensive restaurants.”
I tried to explain, “I just finished all the housework; that’s why I look like this.” But the tears came, and I couldn’t stop them.
And then he hit me with the final blow: “STOP IT! You want the truth? I’m ashamed of you.” 
