Woman Asks Husband of 30 Years for Divorce Even Though He’d Done Nothing — Story of the Day

On our 30th anniversary, two weeks after our youngest left, I asked Zack for divorce. “You’re divorcing me?” he whispered, tears falling. “Yes. Because you did nothing.”

I listed it all: full-time job plus all housework while he watched TV; bedridden with illness, he slept; grieving my father, he said nothing; menopause depression, he ignored; twisted ankle, he snored while I cooked at 6 a.m. No flowers, no defense against his cruel mother, no romance.

“You never told me!” he cried. “I begged for help, affection, therapy—you refused. ‘Nothing wrong,’ you said.”

“Now I’ll go to therapy!” he pleaded. “Too late. I needed that any of the last thirty years.”

I moved to Venice Beach, sold my car, cycled to work. Danced. Changed my hair. Ditched frumpy clothes. My kids said I looked twenty years younger—I felt it.

Zack fell into depression, started therapy. I felt pity, but not guilt.

A year later, I met Sam—kind, attentive, present. We’re engaged for summer.

Zack? Dating a young woman who bosses him, spends his money.

We all end where we belong. I finally chose me.