My story, I am sure is no different than most, I married my high school sweet heart, altho he was really no sweet heart, even while we were still in school he slapped me, spit at me, kicked me, called me all kinds of horrible names and then of course cried real tears and begged for my forgiveness. And of course I forgave him. AND I still married him you ask? Yep....I did. A decision I still question to this day. But after moving to Hawaii with him, he had joined the Navy, our lives became worse. He got himself into trouble with the Navy and as a punishment they lowered his pay and I was only making a minimul amount so the abuse became more frequent and even worse. But something snapped in me one nite after receiving a blow to the head, perhaps that was what I needed all along, I suddenly saw things so much clearer. I knew I did not have to live this life and more importantly...I would not live this life. So while he was out to sea for 3 days, with the help of a friend, I left him. I moved in with her and her family and because her husband was an officer in the Navy I was able to get a restraining order against him and start over. He did try one more time to get me back after I had been gone about 6 weeks, and when he tried to choke me I somehow got the courage up and kneed him in a very special spot. He got the point finally. I have now been away from him for 20 years and since then I have married a wonderful, careing, sweet man that would no more abuse me than cut off his own arm. No woman has to put up with physical or mental abuse. I did not have any children so it was easier for me to walk away but staying with someone like that is only hurting you and your children. I guess in some weird way I have my ex to thank for the woman I am today. I am strong, independant and have a loving heart and I would never ever put up with that type of behavior again. Run dont walk away. And dont lQQK back. They say they love you but that is not love, now that I have found someone who loves me and for the past 16 years has loved me without anger and hate I know the difference. And I thank God for him everyday.