"Unbroken Threads: A Woman's Journey Through Hardship and Purpose"

Meet Kin

Kin is a subtly handsome 28-year-old dark-skinned man whose complexion speaks of a life seasoned with experience and resilience. His bald head, clean-shaven except for a carefully groomed mustache and beard, adds a touch of rugged charm to his appearance. His head gleams under the light, and the beard and mustache, peppered with hints of gray, frame his face—one of his most attractive traits, if you ask me.

Kin's deep-set, expressive eyes have witnessed both hardship and triumph, twinkling with a blend of wisdom and a mischievous glint. His wide nose reflects his African heritage, and his warm, inviting smile can put anyone at ease. Kin's wardrobe mostly consists of work uniforms in various shades of blue.

We met at church when I was 16 and he was 18. He wasn't on my radar, but I knew he was interested. I friend-zoned him but kept him in the back of my mind as a possibility. After my past experiences, I realized I needed a man I could trust with my heart and my kids. Kin seemed like the perfect choice—someone everyone knew and already established in the church.

I had kissed a lot of frogs and was tired of being a "hoe for love." I wanted to re-dedicate my life to God, and the longer I stayed single, the more likely I was to backslide into sin. So, I decided to cut through the bull and go directly to happily ever after. Although Kin and I hadn't kept in touch over the years, I had heard good things about him from mutual friends. He seemed like a safe and easy choice.

From what I'd heard, Kin had always been in love with me. He appeared to be highly religious, worked hard, got paid well, took great care of his mom, and was known to be an all-around good guy. I figured he would be perfect for my happily ever after. After moving to North Carolina from New Jersey, I managed to get in touch with his sister, who reconnected me with Kin. After one phone call, we decided to date long-distance.

We made a vow to God to remain abstinent until marriage, as we wanted to get right spiritually. However, during my visit to Florida after two months of dating, we broke our vow that first night. We figured that since we would eventually get married, there was no harm in what we were doing. In retrospect, that choice set the tone for our relationship. 

Our lack of integrity meant our words held no real value. We let our lust lead us, prioritizing it over our conscience and decision-making skills. Within four months, I moved back to my hometown, and we got married a month later. We did it up by getting hitched at the courthouse and celebrating with the family at the buffet. (Fancy, huh?)