Today I sit down with a longtime friend from High School, April Meadows. April and I have not talked in over 30 years so it was good to catch up. April's journey is similar to a lot of other women's. You know the one, where we meet this amazing guy on the surface who says all the right things and is the sweetest guy you ever met! Listen up ladies if you have an inkling of red flags that are screaming at you, pause a moment to listen to them. April was in this relationship for 20 years and dont for a second think that just because it was verbal and not physical that it was not abuse. It absolutely 100% is abuse. She, like me, stayed thinking she was protecting her children but the abuse never ended, even up til the very end. She goes on to discuss how she put her career on hold before all of this to have her daughter, dropping out of college to raise her and then marriage and more kids until she finally had that "enough is enough" breakthrough to get out. She found her voice and took back her power. Late in life, as she put it, but she is pursuing her dream of having a PHD. The funny thing about the Universe is that this was not the career she wanted at age 18, her story, her journey took her on this path of finding her true self, loving herself and making something better of herself, by herself. Single and strong. It is never too late to get out, to live your dreams, to make your life better, She is a true testament to a Strong Beautiful Woman! We talk here and there about our childhood and the small town life..I just love her!! Ladies, listen up: Never Settle!! You deserve it all. April put it best when she said, we expect respect and unconditional love from our friends, why cant we expect it from a lover. Hell yes. Stand up, speak up and you will have a life full of magic, miracles and purpose. Happy studying for that PhD April! Born Extraordinary...live extraordinary