It was an affair to remember.
One wife is calling the affair her husband had “the best thing that ever happened” to her marriage and is now seeking to help others.
Charity and Matt Craig met when they were teenagers at church camp then married in 2004 at the age of 21 and 25, reports SWNS.
Before discovering what was happening behind her back, Craig described her relationship as “happily married and good friends.”
In 2012, Charity discovered that her husband, who worked as a music pastor, was having an affair and confronted him about it.
According to Charity, she had found text messages between her husband and another woman and called the entire experience “devastating.”
Matt, deciding to stick with his family, left his job and changed his number.
“I was working over 60 hours a week in a high-stress position,” said Matt. “I spent more time at work than with my family. I was struggling between my family and my dreams of pursuing a musical career.”
“I didn’t want to lose my family and I didn’t want to hurt the other woman,” continued Matt.
Both Matt and Charity lived separately for a year and were planning to divorce, but the couple felt drawn to each other.
During their time apart, Charity went to therapy and realized that she was simultaneously battling co-dependency and insecurity.
“I didn’t know how unhappy I was and I did therapy,” revealed Charity. “Even though I didn’t seem to have anger issues, I used the silent treatment as a form of control and manipulation.”
“I would get triggered and explode and rage,” continued Charity. “I have spent countless hours becoming a better version of myself.”
According to Charity, her husband also spent time working on himself.
“It’s not as cut and dry as it seemed — we had to weed through the mess. He actually did the work and when he wanted to,” said the mother of four. “We moved forward together. Everyone has to do what’s right for them.”
A year later, the husband and wife reunited.
“We had a year of healing before we felt things could go back to normal. I went to therapy and read self-help books. I did everything possible to regain her trust. I would put my phone down on the table, straight up,” said Matt.
“It’s been amazing. It’s helped our family. I have a full understanding of her emotions and can be open with her,” continued Matt. “You have to be patient and you can’t get angry or impatient when she wants to talk about it again or breaks down emotionally. I asked her to get back together with me on Valentine’s Day in 2013.”
Charity now works as a coach who helps other married couples overcome betrayal and fidelity.
“We were two empty vessels trying to suck the life out of each other,” said Charity. “We are each responsible for our own happiness.”
Despite the heartache, Charity says the affaire made their marriage stronger.
“This affair turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to our marriage,” said Charity. “It shattered everything but we were in a toxic unhealthy place.”