When I was a kid, my parents always told me that marriage was a far-off dream. As an only child, I felt a lot of pressure. My parents were kind, but money was always tight.
My dad used to run a successful newspaper company until it went under. The bank took everything, even the printing machines. That broke him. My mom was quiet and had never worked, so we had to scrape by with whatever we could.
At twelve, I started taking after-school jobs, missing out on the fun other kids had just to help keep us afloat. After high school, I got a trainee job at a local business. It covered our basic needs, but my dad's medical bills kept piling up, threatening to drag us under.
Three years later, he passed away, leaving us drowning in debt. The weight of it all crushed me, making marriage feel even impossible.
Back then, i had no idea this was just the beginning, of a long road, one filled with heartbreak, struggle, and maybe, just maybe a chance at happiness.
After my dad passed away, my mom leaned on me more than ever. I became her whole world. If I spent time with friends or did anything outside the house, she got angry. My job was my only break. She only tolerated it because it helped pay off my dad's debts.
When I finally cleared all our bills, it felt amazing. I was relieved and ready to chase my own dreams, like buying my own house. To my surprise, my mom supported me. We found a place we both liked. I loved working in the yard; it helped me escape from her constant need for attention.
She still got upset when I talked to neighbors or had fun. But I learned to handle it better. I figured out how to keep my own identity.
Then, my mom suddenly passed away from a heart attack. Instead of feeling crushed, I felt free. It was like a heavy weight was gone.
As I thought about everything, I realized that many people understood my struggle. Friends would say I could finally live my life, and it surprised me how right they were.
Encouraged by their support and my wish for freedom, I made a big choice. I decided to sell my house, quit my job, and move to a new town 100 miles away. It was my chance to start fresh and rebuild a life just for me.