After finishing Grade 10, I made a choice that changed the direction of my life—I left school and moved to Slave Lake to be closer to my boyfriend, Richard M. At the time, it felt like the right thing to do. I wanted to give my heart, my time, and my hopes to our relationship, building memories and imagining a future that seemed so certain. Before long, we were engaged, and I truly believed everything was falling into place.
But a few months later, the truth surfaced. I learned that Richard had been unfaithful with his ex‑girlfriend, and she was now expecting a baby. He told me he needed to marry her “for the sake of the baby.” His words broke something inside me. I questioned myself, my choices, and everything I thought I understood about love.
With a heavy heart, I resigned from my job and made the long trip back home.
When the new year arrived, I decided to return to school. I tried to settle back in, but once basketball season ended, my motivation slipped away. I left again—this time for good. I didn’t realize then how much that decision would shape the years ahead.
Looking Back at Unwise Decisions
Reflection is part of growing. It helps us understand what influenced our choices and what those choices led to. We learn by noticing what worked and what didn’t, and that wisdom guides us toward better decisions later on.
Growing up, I was a loner even though I had many siblings. Our parents were struggling in their own marriage, so guidance about relationships or dating wasn’t something we received. Richard was my first boyfriend. I had crushes before, but I was too shy to act on them. Maybe that’s why I accepted his proposal so quickly—I simply didn’t know any better.
Looking back now, I’m grateful I didn’t marry him. He later cheated on his wife and left her too. Life has a way of revealing truths we couldn’t see at the time.
If only I had known then what I know now.
