Full disclosure: I’ve never been that into the royal family. I haven’t watched any of the weddings or read many of the articles. I don’t know what the kids’ names are or care what the Duchesses wear to social events.
But last night, after seeing the headlines pop up on my newsfeed, I stayed up until well past midnight watching the replay of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s raw interview with Oprah—and I couldn’t take my eyes away.
Meghan’s bravery and vulnerability as she shared her struggles with mental health (among other things) were tangible, and I applaud her because DANG—that must have been so hard.
But if I’m being honest, while the rest of the world had their eyes on Meghan, it was Harry I really noticed—because as life and luck would have it, I have a Harry, too.
My husband is not a prince. You can find him in work-stained jeans and a dusty ball cap more often than not. He’s never been in the spotlight and he lives a modest life.
But when I went to him over two years ago drowning in postpartum anxiety and desperate for relief, he didn’t turn me away.
He didn’t try to dismiss my emotions or rationalize them. He didn’t call me crazy, even though crazy was exactly how I felt.
He listened.
He acknowledged.
He proved he was on my team.
And just as Prince Harry has done for Meghan, my husband gripped my hand through the deepest valley of my life.
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As I watched the Duke and Duchess sitting side-by-side during the Oprah interview, I could almost feel the calming effect Harry had on his wife. Her body language was a deep exhale of comfort, and it was just so evident that he is her safe place.
I couldn’t help but think that’s exactly what my husband is to me, too, and I know so many wives out there would say the same.
So here’s to them—the good ones, the keepers.
Here’s to the husbands who are strong enough to love their wives through their battles with mental illness.
Here’s to the husbands who tune out the whispers of the world to focus only on supporting their wives.
Here’s to the husbands who look their partners in the eyes and say in word and in body language: “You are seen.”
Here’s to the husbands who pledge loyalty to their wives and mean it. Who dance with them when life is good and have their backs when things get tough.
Here’s to the husbands who listen when their wives say, “I need help.” Who hold them in their brokenness and don’t try to force them to just be “OK.”
Here’s to the husbands who fight for their love.
Here’s to the husbands who don’t try to dismiss the pain, even when they don’t understand it themselves.
Here’s to the husbands who say “I am with you” and show that truth day in and day out.
As long as I live, I will be grateful for the unconditional love and support my husband showed me when I needed it most—the same love and support he continues to give me each and every day.
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While Meghan spoke, she said something over and over again that struck me right in the heart with its significance: “He gripped my hand.”
I felt that, because I have been the one with the white knuckles just trying to hang on.
My husband gripped my hand when I was falling apart.
He gripped my hand when I couldn’t go it alone.
He gripped my hand when I needed him most.
What a statement of love and strength that is.
Thank God for husbands like Harry and mine, who grip their wives’ hands and pull them through to the light on the other side.