April 23, 2003 is a very important day for me. It was the day I gained my freedom. I had been in an emotionally abusive relationship for 7 ½ years. During those years I had given control of myself… to a stranger. I was isolated from my family and friends. I would have to sneak visits and phone calls to my family. If my than, boyfriend found out I contacted my family a fight was sure to occur. His reason for isolating me from my family was that they interfered with our relationship. I was subjected to verbal abuse; he would compare me to his ex wife. He would remind me that she had a better job, even though I have a Bachelors Degree. He knew that my weakness was my family and he used that to intimidate me. He would tell me if I ever left him, he would hurt my family.

        I struggled to maintain financial control; he would always make sure he knew how much I got paid. He made sure he went to the bank with me.  He on the other hand would keep his finances to himself. The relationship eventually climaxed to physical abuse.

        An argument began in the morning, it quickly escalated. I ended up being thrown from a moving vehicle. As I picked myself up I knew than, I had to leave, I knew than I had to save myself. I began packing, I called my sister and my co-worker, and they came to my rescue. They guided me and supported me through the police report for domestic violence. I was blessed with the support of my sister and my co-workers. Their support enabled me to stay the course, and not lose sight of my newfound freedom. I celebrated my one year anniversary of freedom, with the people who helped me find my inner strength. I took them out to eat and to the movies, we had a girl’s night out. I am eagerly awaiting the second anniversary of my freedom. And for the first time in a long time, I feel free.