I’m Happily Remarried and Feel Guilty About It

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A funny thing happens when you fall in love at a young age…you think you know it all. At least I did.

I met my first husband when I was 18 and he was 24 years old. He was going through a hard time in his life when we met, as was I, so the two of us instantly relied on one another for support. He was so different than anyone else I had ever met in my life (ahem, I was 18), which fascinated me. Everything from his “tell it like it is” attitude to the unique foods he ate, just pulled me in. Everyday we lived to just have a good time. He was the funnest boyfriend!

Keyword here: boyfriend. He was a terrific boyfriend.

We were young, we had so much fun partying all the time, living it up with friends, blowing money like we had it, living carefree…then we went and got married. Ughhhh, what happened?!

Ohhhhhh, it’s called growing up!!

Yes, we had to grow up. After almost 4 years of dating, we decided to get married. I figured when you got married all the dumb choices you made started to taper off, you know, as you mature. I waited for Cameron to stop doing that but he was the horse that could not be broken. He bucked at everything. He couldn’t be tamed.

I would spend the next 20 years of my life standing by his side, bad decision after bad decision. Together we went through his need for treatment centers, counseling, figuring out financial crisis after crisis, working through his compulsive behaviors, mental imbalances, every addiction you can have, etc. You name it, we went through it. I can’t think of much we didn’t go through, because he covered it all.

And on top of all that we also went through what every other young couple deals with in getting started in life: cars, house, figuring out how to live with someone, starting a family…

Growing up isn’t easy but being married to someone unstable makes it all that more difficult. So let’s just say my marriage wasn’t easy.

Now, I don’t regret the decision I made to marry Cameron at such a young age because I don’t think I knew any better. But would I have chosen the same type of man at age 38?

No way.

So, when you have the opportunity to get married a second time you really start to take everything into consideration:

What personality traits do I like and which ones do I think may become troublesome in the future?

Is he/she financially stable or smart with money?

How do they parent?

Do they keep a clean home?

What are their relationships like with friends and family?

Do they have any bad habits?

And I kid you not: how good or bad of a driver are they? Trust me, this is important. This is a great way to see if someone is irresponsible.

When you are older, you are wiser! You don’t want to repeat the same horrible issues you spent years trying to get rid of.

My second chance at marriage was a quick but well thought out decision. I have never prayed so hard in my life and I’ve never received such strong personal revelation.

Matt and I met and were married in less than 4 months. Cameron and I met and were married in 4 years. But there is a huge difference between the two.

In my 3 years of marriage with Matt I have never had to deal with even a fraction of what I endured with Cameron. And yet I felt guilty about that.

I will have moments where I wonder why Matt and I have gone months without a fight, getting along so well, and have peace in our home. And I will feel guilty about that.

For the first year or two I kind of just expected Matt to come home one day and tell me he was addicted to porn or that he blew money on something (because that would be something I was used to) but the day has never come. We share love and happiness instead. And I felt guilty.

You may be wondering why on Earth I would feel guilty for being happy?!

Honestly, because it makes me sad about Cameron and my first marriage. Because Cam and I struggled so often and we weren’t able to have this kind of joy, even after years of trying. We were supposed to live the life I have today and feel this happiness together and yet it didn’t happen. For twenty years I tried (ohhh how I tried) everything imaginable to have a successful marriage and a peaceful home but it never worked and then he died.

And that finality hurts.

You can’t keep trying when they’re gone. Its game over. And it feels like I failed. It’s almost like my mind is saying “if I didn’t have a perfect marriage with Cameron (especially after all the effort) then I’m not allowed to have one with anyone”.

I feel guilty at times that even under the circumstances that Matt and I have (8 children with deceased parents, children with anxiety, grief, step parenting issues, being such a large family, etc) we are still happier, drama free, and more stable than Cameron and I were. And I feel guilty about that.

So how do I handle the guilt? I am slowly working though it. At times I have to give myself permission to utter the words “I am happier than I’ve ever been” …and that hurts to say! It hurts because it feels like I’m saying “I’m glad Cameron is dead”–and that just isn’t true.

I’m happier today not because Cameron is gone and Matt “is better”, that’s false. I’m happier because I’ve used my experience with Cameron to make me a better wife the second time around. I don’t believe I would know such happiness had I not gone through my first marriage. Ive learned to appreciate the little things and to love a little deeper because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Our life experiences are like little stepping stones and I’m using what I know now to better my future.

One of these days I’ll let go of that guilt and just allow myself joy without hesitation. I’ll let myself just feel at peace that I’m at a good place in my life and that it’s okay.

Because no one should feel guilty about loving their life, right?

Published by Blended Hope

Blogger, Mom of 9, Widow, Remarried, Blended Family, Stay at home mama, product reviewer, instant pot lover, cookie obsessed

30 Replies to “I’m Happily Remarried and Feel Guilty About It”

  1. I remember feeling guilty for my kids’ sake when I remarried. They couldn’t understand how I could be happy in a new marriage, yet they did not fully understand how toxic my marriage to their mother was. God has been very gracious to you, and I am thankful that He places people in our lives when we least expect. I can relate to your story as I married my wife after knowing her less than 3 months. We will celebrate 3 years in September and just had our second child together. Starting over in my mid-30s was not what I expected, but God has a different way of working than we do.

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  2. Lisa this was excellent!!!! The best one you have written yet! My husband says write a book…sign it and he will buy it! He says you are an excellent writer!

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  4. Somehow I just stumbled upon this post. I am not sure why I stopped to read, but I did. What’s more, I typically don’t make it through longer posts, but this one had me hooked from the title. Your post is beautifully written. It was powerful, insightful and heartfelt. Thank you for sharing! I am sorry for your loss but I am very happy for what you found. I have always believed we should be thankful for the past, because it led you to today! 🙂

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, reading, and leaving such a beautiful comment! This was the first post where I actually stopped and almost didn’t push the “Publish” button so I appreciate your comment more than you know❤️

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      2. This whole entire little serendipitous moment, and these comments, brightened my day ☺️ We must be thankful for such little things we can do to really touch someone’s mind and heart, and in such a split second… With an amazingly beautiful post and a heartfelt comment.

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      3. Totally agree. This is why I have stopped and deactivated all my social media except for this one (not that I would include this forum in that category) We don’t know each other. So the relationships developed are based on the words and pictures we create. If you don’t like someones view or their work is not your interest or taste, you simply pass it over and no one is worse for wear. But when someone or something speaks to you and affects you and you decide to comment, it’s authentic. (Not saying there aren’t blogs out there that share this principal, but you really can tell). Sorry the reply was long, I didn’t know how to respond to your very kind and sweet comment in just a couple of words. 😬💕

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  6. Pingback: Over 10,000 Views, 3,000 Visitors, and a Whole Lot of Comments—Some Fun Analytics! – Blended Hope

  8. What a beautiful post!
    Guilt is a curious thing. And even though you experience it, it seems that you’re learning how to accept and let it go.
    I too went from a terrible marriage to one that is actually quite wonderful. I didn’t/don’t experience the guilt you did/do, I experience a constant ‘waiting for the other shoe to drop’ sensation. I keep waiting to be emotionally abused. I keep waiting for there to be chaos and drama. I am learning how difficult it is to live in a peaceful environment after living in chronic fear and anxiety for so long. I understand PTSD in ways I never expected.
    What I’m learning is that love is safe.
    I wish you so much love, safety, acceptance, and soon a completely guilt free life! ❤

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    1. Oh how I know what you just said “waiting for the other shoe to drop”—yes yes yes! I have often told Matt that I’m waiting for the “real” him to appear. I am also adjusting to our peaceful, non drama filled life and strangely it’s hard! You would think “just enjoy life it’s wonderful” but really inside I’m waiting for misery because that’s is what I am used to.
      Thankfully I couldn’t be happier and we have a great life and slowly I’m accepting happiness everyday. Wishing you the same❤️

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  10. I think you came to some great conclusions.
    I really have to applaud you for sticking it with Cameron for that long. Not everyone could do it. But you two must have needed each other at that time. Everything DOES happen for a reason. And I’m glad you’re discovering yours.
    A happy relationship takes two to tango.

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  11. This is a great post. I tend to think that you are being rewarded for keeping your marriage vows in your first marriage and standing by Cameron though everything. This marriage is a gift from God so I hope you can get past the quilt and make the most of it.

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  13. I’m trying not to feel guilty for getting remarried myself. My first marriage was a disaster from the beginning. I was young naive and just plain stupid. I do have my son from that marriage which I’ll never regret. But I also feel bad because my mom stressed so much with my first wedding and I feel I don’t deserve another chance at happiness.

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