Lisa Thompson has always managed to balance her career and household chores effortlessly.
As an accountant for one of the most respected firms in Santa Clara, California, she managed her demanding 9-to-5 job while keeping her home in perfect order. Every day, she got up at 5 a.m., made breakfast for herself and her husband, Chad, left for work, and came home in time to start making dinner.
Chad was supportive, always helping with homework. However, after the birth of Lisa, things began to change.
Lisa and Chad have been happily married for three years and after years of trying, they were overjoyed to find out they were expecting.
After the birth of their twins, Lisa decided to take a break from work to stay home and take care of her babies. While she saw it as a time to bond with her kids, Chad saw it as laziness.
“All you do is sit on the couch, Lisa. At least get some exercise! Look how much weight you’ve gained since pregnancy. It wouldn’t hurt to lose a few pounds,” he often taunted her.
Lisa felt hurt and frustrated by Chad’s lack of appreciation for her role as a stay-at-home mother, but attributed it to the stress he was experiencing at work. Still, she began to feel that Chad was drifting away from her and their marriage. He seemed oblivious to her needs and whenever she suggested spending quality time together he avoided the idea and went to bed early. Lisa finally decided she had to confront him.
“Honey, I know you’ve been busy with work, but we agreed to always talk about it,” she said softly. “I’ve noticed that something has been bothering you lately.
Chad shrugged at that. “It’s okay, Lisa. Everything is fine,” he replied without looking up from his laptop.
“Are you sure Chad? I noticed…”
“Did you notice what, Lisa?” Chad snapped. “Could you let me work in peace? Why do you have to get involved in everything? Why not spend your time doing something useful like taking care of yourself? When was the last time you looked in the mirror?”
Lisa’s heart sank. “Cade…”
“What? Now you’re going to cry and make me feel guilty? Okay, go ahead! But seriously, look at you. You’ve gained all this weight. Can’t you lose a few pounds?” Chad continued, his voice growing louder. “Tell me, Lisa, are you doing all this on purpose, so I’m going to let you go? Are you seeing someone else? Where do you go early in the morning huh? And you’re not coming back until I wake up.”
“Are you serious, Chad?” Lisa asked in astonishment. “Do you really think I’m cheating on you?”
“How should I know, Lisa? Maybe you’ve already decided that this marriage isn’t worth it. You no longer want to work and just sit around the house stuffing your face and gaining weight. We could have hired a babysitter, but no, you want to stay home and treat yourself to food!” With that, Chad stormed out.
Lisa remained speechless, stunned by his words. As Chad was leaving, she broke down in tears and refused to listen to her. Later that night, Chad was working on his laptop when he heard a loud noise. He rushed into the twins’ room and found Lisa lying unconscious on the floor. In a panic, he called 911 and rushed her to the hospital.
After arranging for the twins to be taken care of by their neighbor, Mrs. Clements, Chad returned home late at night after admitting Lisa to the hospital. The doctors told him that she had collapsed from stress and exhaustion.
Chad sat on the bed and buried his face in his hands. He couldn’t believe the way he treated Lisa. Maybe I was too hard on her, he thought. Why did I let things get so bad? And how could I be so blind to her struggles?
As he was cleaning the bed, a diary fell on the floor. Curiosity got the better of him and he opened them. He knew that reading someone’s private diary was wrong, but he couldn’t resist. Flipping through the pages, he found Lisa’s records of their lives, starting with the birth of their twins. He smiled as he read her happy words, but one entry gripped his heart.
“I’m so sad today. Chad seems so distant. I don’t know if I did something wrong but I feel like we’re drifting apart. Maybe it’s just work… I hope it gets better soon.”
Chad’s guilt grew as he continued to read.
“I’m sorry I haven’t written in a while. I am so tired these days! Those gym people keep calling me and telling me to take pills and eat raw food. I feel sick after eating their food. Chad still taunts me. I’m so tired of it. I just don’t know how much longer I can last.”
Chad’s heart ached. How could he be so blind to her pain? He realized how harsh he had been and how badly he had treated her.
The next day, Chad visited Lisa in the hospital with a bouquet of her favorite flowers and a card that read, “Get well soon honey! The kids and I miss you. It doesn’t feel like home without you.”
Tears filled Lise’s eyes when she saw the flowers and wishes. It had been so long since Chad had done something special for her. “Thank you, Chad,” she whispered, touched by his gesture.
“You don’t have to say anything, Lisa,” Chad replied. “I was terrible to you. I’m very sorry. You are beautiful just the way you are. Everything I said about your looks was wrong and I’m crazy for saying it. I’ll get better, I promise.”
Later, when Lisa returned home, Chad surprised her with a candlelit dinner. The room was beautifully decorated, with soft music playing in the background. After dinner, he got down on one knee and asked, “Mrs. Lisa Thompson, would you like to dance with me?”
Lisa smiled and they kissed passionately, feeling closer than ever. From that moment on, Chad became a completely different man. He helped around the house, took Lisa on weekend dates, and always reminded her, “I love you just the way you are.
Although Lisa still goes to the gym, she no longer goes on fad diets to lose weight. Instead, she focuses on keeping her healthy and happy.
Chad’s transformation was nothing short of remarkable. After realizing how deeply he had hurt Lise, he made a conscious effort to change. His apology and the actions that followed were evidence of his remorse and desire to restore their relationship. By showing up with flowers, planning a romantic dinner, and offering sincere words of love, he not only began to repair the damage but also showed that he understood the importance of appreciating Lisa for who she truly is, as a wife and as a woman. Mother.
Lisa also experienced a shift. Her husband’s newfound kindness and support allowed her to feel valued again. She was no longer weighed down by the weight of judgment and adopted a healthier and more balanced approach to self-care. She no longer felt the need to meet unrealistic standards set by society or her husband. Instead, she focused on what really mattered: her well-being, her children, and her marriage.
Their journey was not perfect, but it marked a turning point in their relationship. It was a reminder that love when nurtured with understanding, patience, and mutual respect, can weather even the toughest storms. For Chad, this experience taught him the importance of empathy and the need to be present for your partner, not only physically but also emotionally. For Lisa, it was an affirmation of her worth, inside and out.
Together they learned to communicate better, appreciate small moments, and support each other through life’s ups and downs. Their love, once clouded by misunderstanding and hurt, was rekindled and they emerged stronger than ever. Lisa and Chad’s story is a reminder that sometimes it takes a call to rediscover the depth of love and the power of change.