I lived in Kentucky, was unwed with a one year old, and had just lost my job. My sister knew that I needed a little R&R, so she invited me to accompany her to Florida so that she could take care of some business.

I saw him at a marina in Ft. Myers. He was a mate on a deep-sea fishing outfit. In my mind he was perfect and no one could convince me otherwise. His first words to my sister were that he would marry me if I'd have him. Within a month or two I had moved out of my Kentucky "life" and planted myself in what would later be known as my "Hell on earth".

The mysterious blonde and tanned stranger was not the man I thought. I ended up pregnant and wearing a wedding band within a few more months. But after my 3rd trip to the shelter for women and children, I decided I had had enough. One weekend he went out on a 48-hour trip at sea, and he returned to discover that I had sold every single thing we owned. I only got $300, but that was enough to buy an old car and take my 2 babies home to Kentucky.

That was 15 years ago. Today, although still single, I am happy. My girls are wonderful, and not to mention mentally stable. I started over for their sake, and mine. Mistakes we make in life can be overcome, you just have to be willing to "face the music" and learn when to admit that you've gone down the wrong road. Be sure to turn around before you run out of gas.

-- Kelly H