REBIRTH OF A STEPFORD WIFE
Donation protected
I’m not dying; I’m not even sick. My children are healthy.
With that out of the way, I should also say that I’ve stopped and started this campaign many times. Many will read what follows as a fairy tale gone astray but, for me this is my real-life story of being trapped and desperately needing to be free.
Nearly 15 years ago I quit my job, packed up my belongings and left my friends, family, and the US behind. I followed the man I loved to Geneva, Switzerland and started a new life. When things were good, they were really good, but before long the good was gone. In October 2015, after much reflection and acceptance of a bad situation, I asked for a divorce. It’s now April 2017, and we are still married! Not separated, married! And the worst part is that we still live in the same house!
Before following love and the promise of a life together, I always worked. Even when I was in high school and didn’t need to, I wanted to. I got my first job at age 15. When, I left the States, I worked in the fashion industry and was on my way up. But I’ve never worked in Switzerland. At first I didn’t have the legal right to do so. And once I was married, I didn’t need to. The plan was I would stay at home and raise our children.
Thus, I have spent my entire time here completely dependent on my husband. As long as I was the dutiful wife, my children and I had what we needed and wanted, but when he was displeased that all went out the door. Once he even put my credit cards through the shredder!
I had just arrived in Washington, DC when shit hit the fan. After several colourful conversations, things were so out of control. I knew I needed to get back to Geneva ASAP, and booked the next flight. While on the phone changing my ticket, I was told about the small change fee and asked if I wanted to put it on the same card I had used to book the flight. Yes of course, I said. Imagine my surprise when I was told the card was no longer valid! I was financially cut off 8 hours after announcing I wanted a divorce.
Money had always been the power that he held over me – he giveth and he taketh away.
In 2014 I started a small business. I wanted to get back into the fashion world and contribute differently to my household. And now that my children are in school all day, I had time. If you’ve ever started a business, you know this is not the easiest task and that it takes time to actually turn a profit.
But my children and I don’t have the luxury of time.
I cannot pay for groceries, school clothes and general household expenses and bills. I have a list of creditors who are pursuing me for debt that I accrued for the family. I’ve had three lawyers, each with retainer fees and sky high hourly rates. Not to mention the fees to file for a separation and each court appearance that must be paid. Since I asked for the divorce, I’m the one who must pay them. I have four court dates before the end of June!
I am drowning in debt. And, as my husband told me, not so nicely “that he would be on his $%^# death bed before he paid my legal fees!” But this sentiment seems to apply to food and clothing as well.
I need your help to make a dent in the legal fees. But I also want to reclaim the woman I was and know I can be. This isn’t about exacting revenge; it’s about regaining control over my life and being able to raise my children with a modicum of comfort. There’s something to be said for knowing where your next meal is coming from. My husband is determined to belittle and humiliate me, and I don’t intend to go away quietly. But the noise I intend to make is in my establishing my independence and raising happy, healthy boys.
In my previous life, I was fiercely independent and a go getter. My spirit has definitely been broken through the course of this marriage but I am being reborn. I want more than anything to find and rebuild the women I used to be.
Help me bring her back to life!
All money donated will be used to pay down this mountain of debt which is roughly $40,000 and put myself in a position to run my business and live a life that I and most importantly my children can be proud of.
I am also teaming up with the following brands to help support this effort:
BomBom Bijoux has created two gorgeous bracelets and will donate 50% of the proceeds to the campaign. Click the link to visit her site: http://bombombijoux.com/t/rebirthofastepfordwife
Today Designer has designed this special ring and 40% percent of the proceeds will go to the campaign. Click the link to visit her site: https://tictail.com/s/todaydesigner/the-pearl-ring-rose-gold-ring
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. I appreciate your consideration, and your support. I’m certain you have a story as well, and I’d love to hear it sometime.
With that out of the way, I should also say that I’ve stopped and started this campaign many times. Many will read what follows as a fairy tale gone astray but, for me this is my real-life story of being trapped and desperately needing to be free.
Nearly 15 years ago I quit my job, packed up my belongings and left my friends, family, and the US behind. I followed the man I loved to Geneva, Switzerland and started a new life. When things were good, they were really good, but before long the good was gone. In October 2015, after much reflection and acceptance of a bad situation, I asked for a divorce. It’s now April 2017, and we are still married! Not separated, married! And the worst part is that we still live in the same house!
Before following love and the promise of a life together, I always worked. Even when I was in high school and didn’t need to, I wanted to. I got my first job at age 15. When, I left the States, I worked in the fashion industry and was on my way up. But I’ve never worked in Switzerland. At first I didn’t have the legal right to do so. And once I was married, I didn’t need to. The plan was I would stay at home and raise our children.
Thus, I have spent my entire time here completely dependent on my husband. As long as I was the dutiful wife, my children and I had what we needed and wanted, but when he was displeased that all went out the door. Once he even put my credit cards through the shredder!
I had just arrived in Washington, DC when shit hit the fan. After several colourful conversations, things were so out of control. I knew I needed to get back to Geneva ASAP, and booked the next flight. While on the phone changing my ticket, I was told about the small change fee and asked if I wanted to put it on the same card I had used to book the flight. Yes of course, I said. Imagine my surprise when I was told the card was no longer valid! I was financially cut off 8 hours after announcing I wanted a divorce.
Money had always been the power that he held over me – he giveth and he taketh away.
In 2014 I started a small business. I wanted to get back into the fashion world and contribute differently to my household. And now that my children are in school all day, I had time. If you’ve ever started a business, you know this is not the easiest task and that it takes time to actually turn a profit.
But my children and I don’t have the luxury of time.
I cannot pay for groceries, school clothes and general household expenses and bills. I have a list of creditors who are pursuing me for debt that I accrued for the family. I’ve had three lawyers, each with retainer fees and sky high hourly rates. Not to mention the fees to file for a separation and each court appearance that must be paid. Since I asked for the divorce, I’m the one who must pay them. I have four court dates before the end of June!
I am drowning in debt. And, as my husband told me, not so nicely “that he would be on his $%^# death bed before he paid my legal fees!” But this sentiment seems to apply to food and clothing as well.
I need your help to make a dent in the legal fees. But I also want to reclaim the woman I was and know I can be. This isn’t about exacting revenge; it’s about regaining control over my life and being able to raise my children with a modicum of comfort. There’s something to be said for knowing where your next meal is coming from. My husband is determined to belittle and humiliate me, and I don’t intend to go away quietly. But the noise I intend to make is in my establishing my independence and raising happy, healthy boys.
In my previous life, I was fiercely independent and a go getter. My spirit has definitely been broken through the course of this marriage but I am being reborn. I want more than anything to find and rebuild the women I used to be.
Help me bring her back to life!
All money donated will be used to pay down this mountain of debt which is roughly $40,000 and put myself in a position to run my business and live a life that I and most importantly my children can be proud of.
I am also teaming up with the following brands to help support this effort:
BomBom Bijoux has created two gorgeous bracelets and will donate 50% of the proceeds to the campaign. Click the link to visit her site: http://bombombijoux.com/t/rebirthofastepfordwife
Today Designer has designed this special ring and 40% percent of the proceeds will go to the campaign. Click the link to visit her site: https://tictail.com/s/todaydesigner/the-pearl-ring-rose-gold-ring
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. I appreciate your consideration, and your support. I’m certain you have a story as well, and I’d love to hear it sometime.
Organizer
Nicole Richmond De Feo
Organizer
Vésenaz
