David is a husband, father and former pastor who has been married to his high school sweetheart, Jennifer, for 20 years.
Together, they have two sons and, as it would appear on the outside, an ordinary relationship. But David has been living a double life for years.
Secretly, he has been cheating, hiding a pornography addiction and visiting online chat rooms to meet sex partners.
Though she’s aware of the betrayals and lies within her marriage, Jennifer is desperate to keep the relationship going and writes to Iyanla Vanzant seeking her advice and counsel in how to move forward as a couple.
When Iyanla arrives, she learns more about the situation. David has moved into his own apartment, but can’t seem to fully let go, still coming home for weekly dinners. Jennifer still wears her wedding ring — and wears David’s, which he took off two years ago.
Both David and Jennifer had difficult childhoods, but found comfort in each other. So, when David playfully asked Jennifer to marry him, she said yes. David says that the day the two got engaged was the day his marriage ended, because it was something he never seriously wanted.
Iyanla tells David that he must be honest with himself and his wife. In the above video from “Iyanla: Fix My Life,” she has the estranged couple sit down together so David can tell Jennifer the truth about the proposal that began their complicated lives together.
“So, Mr. David,” Iyanla begins. “What is it you need to communicate to Ms. Jennifer for moving forward?”
For a moment, David is quiet as his wife stares at him. Then he speaks.
“I didn’t want to be married,” he tells Jennifer. “At the time that I asked...”
David’s voice trails off and Iyanla prepares Jennifer for what’s to come. “Take a breath, Ms. Jenn,” she says. “Take a breath.”
David continues. “You know the manner in which I asked [you to marry me]? You’re taking it seriously. I didn’t mean it jokingly, but I was joking. I was lying,” he says. “I accepted your ‘yes’ as a means of feeling normal.”
Jennifer does not speak. David tries to convey his feelings. “My choices to remain in a marriage that I knew I didn’t want, it does not diminish that I care. It doesn’t diminish that I love you. Because I do,” he says. “I do want you to be my friend.”
Latest Stories
-
Daniel Otting Awuah elected SRC President of Ghana School of Law
46 mins -
Lawrence Ati-Zigi signs St. Gallen contract extension
50 mins -
We should be careful not to destroy our institutions without just cause – Serebour Quaicoe
59 mins -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: EOCO hasn’t requested for FBI report – Office of the Special Prosecutor
3 hours -
Andre Ayew scores 5th league goal as Le Havre beat Strasbourg
3 hours -
Ejisu by-election: NPP didn’t sanction money distribution to voters – Richard Ahiagbah
3 hours -
Ghana Health Service opens vacancies for 204 doctors, 25 dentists
4 hours -
Domestic tourism on the rebound with 1.4m visits to attraction sites in 2023 – GTA
4 hours -
Government working hard to complete Tema General Hospital project – Dr Okoe Boye
4 hours -
Ipswich Town seal Premier League promotion after 22 years absence
4 hours -
Accord journalists the respect due them – Opare Gyan
4 hours -
EPL: Arsenal beat Bournemouth to go four points clear of Man City
5 hours -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: What’s happening now is a clear indication of cover-up – Amaliba
5 hours -
I felt rejected by Ghanaians – AY Poyoo
5 hours -
Terrorist cell of five Daesh supporters dismantled in Essaouira
5 hours