WHOA That's Good Podcast - Getting Over an Ex | Sadie Robertson Huff | Lydia Walker | Liv Keinath

Episode Date: April 28, 2025

Breaking up is hard for everyone — and yeah, it's just the worst. It really is. Today, Sadie’s invited  her friends Liv Keinath and Lydia Walker to chat about how they knew it was time to end thi...ngs with their exes (including a fiancé), the fear of letting go of “what could’ve been,” grieving the future they thought they’d have, and how they eventually found a way to move forward. And if you're feeling stuck in something that doesn’t feel right, they’ve got some seriously good advice and encouragement — and just know, you are so not alone in this. https://covenanteyes.com/sadie — Visit the website to earn more and start your journey toward a healthier, stronger marriage today. Exclusive $35-off Carver Mat at https://AuraFrames.com. Promo Code WHOA https://gominno.com — Get your first month FREE when you use code WHOA at sign up. Take advantage of this web-only exclusive offer today! - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:00 From early morning workouts that need a boost, to late night drives that need vibes, a good playlist can help you make the most out of your everyday. And when it comes to everyday spending, you can count on the PC Insider's World Elite MasterCard to help you earn the most PC optimum points everywhere you shop. With the best playlists, you never miss a good song. With this card, you never miss out on getting the most points on everyday purchases. The PC Insider's World's Elite Mastercard. The card for living unlimited.
Starting point is 00:00:26 Conditions apply to all benefits. Visit pcfinancial.ca for details. Okay, Martin, let's try one. Remember, big. You got it. The Ford It's a Big Deal event is on. How's that? A little bigger.
Starting point is 00:00:39 The Ford It's a Big Deal event. Nice. Now the offer? Lease a 2025 Escape Active all-wheel drive from 198 bi-weekly at 1.99% APR for 36 months with 27.55 down. Wow, that's like $99 a week. Yeah, it's a big deal.
Starting point is 00:00:55 The Ford, it's a big deal event. Visit your Toronto area Ford store or Ford.ca today. ["I'm On My Way Now"] What's up, sisters and friends? Happy Monday everybody. I hope you're having a great start to your week. I really believe it's about to get so much better. If you've seen the title of today's episode, How to Get Through a Breakup, then you're probably in the right place because assuming you clicked on this, needing some advice, getting through a breakup, or maybe your breakup was a long time ago and you just want a little advice,
Starting point is 00:01:30 and you're still having some lingering thoughts or some pain from the past, maybe you're anticipating a breakup, you know that needs to happen, or maybe you're just here and that's not a part of your story, but you're hoping for some good wisdom in between, and I think we're gonna give you all of that as we share our stories today.
Starting point is 00:01:47 The truth is, we actually have a counseling aspect of LO where Freddie sees clients. And one of our biggest client, clientele, I guess, people who come in is because they just went through a breakup. And so I just wanted you all to know that. The reality is, this is a very hard subject. It's a very hard thing to get over a breakup. Even saying get over a breakup sounds insensitive to how hard it actually is to walk through
Starting point is 00:02:13 something like that. And it's so hard that we have many, many people come to counseling because of it. And I don't think anyone should rule out counseling. This might be the start of a good conversation. And so I invited two of my friends who unfortunately had to go through some tough breakups to be the members of this podcast.
Starting point is 00:02:34 But the reality is most all of my friends went through tough breakups. I couldn't have asked anybody. These two were willing. And so I'm thankful for that. But we have Lydia back on the podcast. Woohoo! And we have Olivia for her first time
Starting point is 00:02:46 on the Well That's Good podcast. Olivia's like fresh off, fresh in the paint. Like you literally just moved here, just started working for LO. Tell me a brief part of your story. And I'm like, would you ever want to share that? So thank you for being willing. You want to tell everybody a little bit about who you are?
Starting point is 00:03:05 Sure. I just moved to Louisiana a little over two months ago from downtown Chicago. Just a small change. Just a little bit of a culture shock. Yeah, no, it's been great. I have a background in events and marketing, and I'm doing operations on Team LO now.
Starting point is 00:03:24 And it's been a ton of fun. Yeah. I'm finally just now getting settled in after a bit of a bumpy start. Yes. We could have another podcast episode about moving somewhere. Because that was a rough start. But I'm so proud of you for making the move.
Starting point is 00:03:38 I remember in our interview process being like, man, she is so awesome. But I'm nervous to hire you because I know how big of a life change that's gonna be for you. Just to go from Chicago to Louisiana. And you did it. And you've walked in so much faith
Starting point is 00:03:53 and like seeing just what God has had for you has been really, really cool. And you've like overcome some really hard things already. And so how do you friend? Thank you so much. I'm very thankful for you. And I'm super excited for this podcast. You know, it's actually funny because I posted,
Starting point is 00:04:12 this is years ago, like nine, 10 years ago, one time a breakup video on YouTube after I went through a breakup. And I just addressed a breakup that I was going through because the relationship was very public and I felt like I needed to say something. And so I share that breakup video. It ended up getting like a lot of views.
Starting point is 00:04:32 I mean, at the time, I mean, not even just at the time, even for me now, that would have been a lot of views. And I was kind of surprised by that. I didn't really anticipate that necessarily. But what I learned from that, because I met so many people after that. But what I learned from that, because I met so many people after that who would come up to me that literally said like,
Starting point is 00:04:50 I just watched your breakup video and it helped me so much. Go through my breakup or realize, like have the confidence to break up with a person I knew I wasn't gonna marry. Like that's actually how me and one of my best friends, Lainey met. She came up to me to tell me she had just watched
Starting point is 00:05:05 my breakup video. And she broke up with a guy. She had been dating for like four years. And that's what really bonded us, was going through breakups. And so, you know, this is a tough thing to walk through. It's something that definitely really bonds you as a person when you share these stories.
Starting point is 00:05:21 And we realized that we are sharing stories today that are vulnerable and involve other people. And so we are gonna honor. And one of the things we talked about too, was like, when we go back to reflect on this, we don't go back to the past pain or the feelings. We have so far moved past those things, but we do get to go back and we're going to go back
Starting point is 00:05:40 to testify a little bit, to bring encouragement, to bring wisdom, to help you walk through what you're walking through. And so the point of this is to be helpful. I have my sister hat on. This is to be a sister and a friend as you walk through a very hard time of your life. And so let's just get real.
Starting point is 00:05:57 Let's share a little bit about our breakup stories. Who wants to kick off this conversation? Lydia, you look like the girl to do it. I can kick it off. It's so funny because when y'all asked me to be on this podcast, I was like, I talk about this a lot on here, I feel like. You've become our number one breakup girl.
Starting point is 00:06:15 Yeah, I talk about it a lot, but it is because it's such a big part of my story and what's led me to be where I am today. And I definitely know, if this is something that's gonna help other people, and like you said, Sadie, it does. Like, I was that girl who would, you know, when you walk through your breakup,
Starting point is 00:06:31 to see someone else who's like gone through it too, and to hear their story, it does help you when you're in the hurting still. And so that's my thought process is, if this can help, you know, one other girl, one other guy, which it will, like I'm confident it will, the Lord's gonna use it. And it's so worth it to go back there
Starting point is 00:06:47 and like to talk about it again. But yeah, I've gone through a few breakups in my life, in my time. I've gone through, you know, high school breakups and then into college breakups, which they, you know, they're similar, but different. And I would say breakups are the worst thing. They are one of the worst things you can walk through,
Starting point is 00:07:14 especially when what we were talking about before is, when you do dating wrong, then breakups are so hard. And that's something in my story is I never want it to seem like when I'm talking about this, that it was just the other person's fault. Like it was me too. And it took me a long time to get to that point
Starting point is 00:07:31 to even realize that or to even say that. It would, years ago it would have been, oh, it was all them, like they were wrong. But now, I mean, it was me too. Like I was in that with them. And when you date wrong, breakups are really hard. And I went through a few breakups, and each one after the breakup, you know,
Starting point is 00:07:51 I'm devastated, I'm heartbroken, it's so hard. And I would always turn to the wrong things. I would always, my immediate response was, either turn to other guys to get, you know, attention from somewhere else, turn to drinking, turn to partying, to drugs, whatever it was, I would turn to something else to look for a distraction from the pain that I was feeling.
Starting point is 00:08:13 But that pain just lingered, the pain stuck with me because I wasn't searching to heal it in the right place, which is Jesus, that's the only right place to heal. I was searching to just fill that void with other distractions, which ultimately, that's the only right place to heal. I was searching to just fill that void with other distractions, which ultimately, that's what the relationship even was. From the beginning was a distraction from what really mattered, which was Jesus,
Starting point is 00:08:33 because I didn't have that relationship with Him. And so breakups were hard because dating was wrong. My dating life was wrong, so then the breakups were devastating to my life. My life would truly, it sounds so dramatic, but if you've gone through it, you know, my life, I felt devastated when I walked through breakups. Like truly, like life is over, devastated.
Starting point is 00:08:59 Don't wanna get out of bed. Devastated for months, for years, you know, like it lingered for long, long time. Yeah, that's so real. So much of what you said, we're going to unpack because I could go into so many different aspects of what you said and we could linger on that for a little bit and be like, what does that practically look like?
Starting point is 00:09:18 And we can tell and share a little bit of that. But man, that's so real. And I love how you said, you know, high school breakups are one thing, college breakups are one thing. They're all hard, so not minimizing, whether you're younger or older. But I think one thing that does make it hard
Starting point is 00:09:34 is when you get to the point where you have imagined the future with them. A whole life. Because then when the breakup happens, you feel your future has been ripped away, which is why you feel so like out of control of everything, you feel depressed, you feel like you can't even, you don't know what you're gonna do tomorrow because you were so used to
Starting point is 00:09:53 the pattern of talking to that person, dating that person, having that person in communication. The future was all with that person and so it's just like such a shock, you know, when you go through something like that. And we'll talk about later like because I love that point, you know, when you go through something like that. And we'll talk about later, like, because I love that point that you said, when you date wrong, breakups are hard. And it's so true because sometimes you hear people go through breakups and say, oh yeah, we're still friends.
Starting point is 00:10:13 And you're like, how are you still friends? How could you be friends? But when you didn't date in a way that was honoring to the other person or to yourself, then you cannot be friends after because you've crossed too many lines, too many boundaries, was honoring to the other person or to yourself, then you cannot be friends after, because you've crossed too many lines, too many boundaries, too many things
Starting point is 00:10:29 to be able to be in relationship. But if you date well and you date biblically and right, you should set yourself up in such a way that even when you do break up, it isn't this devastating blow. You don't have all these pieces you know, pieces to pick up. Like it's still hard, but it's not like the end of your life feeling like.
Starting point is 00:10:50 Now, none of us have that story. We're all, we kind of joked about this podcast saying like, the advice we're going to give is we're going to have to be honest that we didn't do it right, you know? And it's interesting because when you first go through a breakup, I'm the same way. You only see like what that person did. You know, you see so much more of that.
Starting point is 00:11:09 You see a little of yourself, but more of them. Then the longer life has gone on, and as I reflect back now, being married, having kids, man, I just see my own stuff. I'm like, I'm not really thinking about what they did. I did this so wrong, you know? Because now I'm like, I don't act like that at all in the relationship that's right, you know?
Starting point is 00:11:30 And so you do kind of look back and gain a lot of wisdom as the years go. Friends, I want to talk to you about something that is really important and that's marriage. Y'all know that I believe marriage is one of the most beautiful gifts God gives us and it's where we grow, love deeply, and reflect His heart. But let's be honest, it is not always easy. Life gets busy, we get distracted, and sometimes the hardest stuff sneaks in
Starting point is 00:11:56 quietly, especially when it comes to technology. And that's why I'm so thankful for a tool like Victory by Covenant Eyes. It is a software that helps couples protect their hearts and their marriage by adding a layer of accountability when it comes to internet use. Because the truth is, pornography and inappropriate content are everywhere these days and it doesn't just affect strangers out there.
Starting point is 00:12:16 It can impact real marriages in subtle, heartbreaking ways. But with Covenant Eyes, you don't have to face that battle alone. Their software tracks screen activity and sends reports to an accountability partner who is a real person that you trust, whether that's your spouse, a close friend, or even a family member. It's all about creating a safe, open environment where you can be honest and grow together.
Starting point is 00:12:36 This is not about guilt or shame. It's about choosing healing, growth, and protecting what matters the most—your relationships with each other and with the Lord. I've seen firsthand how powerful it can be whenever couples walk in honesty and grace together and victory by covenant eyes makes it easier to do that than ever. Marriage is meant to reflect God's love.
Starting point is 00:12:54 It's pure, faithful and full of grace and covenant eyes is a way to guard and to honor that gift. Like I mentioned, I've seen the impact of just accountability and honesty in marriage and I think the thing people fear sometimes is just coming clean and being honest, but I think that it's when we do, that's whenever like freedom's around the corner. And this is a way to get to do that. So don't fear this, friends. This is a gift. This is something to dive into. So if you're married, engaged, or even just dreaming about the future, I cannot recommend
Starting point is 00:13:21 Covenant Eyes enough. Go to covenanteyes.com slash Sadie to learn more and start your journey towards a healthier, stronger marriage today. That's covenanteyes.com slash Sadie. Olivia, I know that was a big part of your story of a breakup feeling very devastating because of a future imagined. So share a little bit about your background and your story.
Starting point is 00:13:44 Yeah, definitely. So very, I've done your background and your story. Yeah, definitely. So I've done extensive field research when it comes to breakups. I feel very qualified to be here. But I think the most impactful one was I was living in Denver after college and started dating a guy out there. And we were together for, I think, a year and a half-ish.
Starting point is 00:14:02 And then we got engaged. And then we were engaged for about a year and a half ish. And then we got engaged and then we were engaged for about a year and a half. And we, you know, had the whole wedding planned for like May of 2021. And I ended up calling it off in February of 2021. So definitely understand that pain of like, you're not just mourning the breakup,
Starting point is 00:14:20 but you're mourning like an entire future that you had built with that person. And we were very far down, you know, three months out, like I had a dress, we sent out save the dates, we had a venue booked, all the things. But yeah, ultimately just like, I knew deep down, like it was not the right person for me. So I think, yeah, it was the hardest thing I've like ever had to do. And it launched me into like a horrible spiral of just being super depressed and kind of like Lydia said, just seeking any type of distraction,
Starting point is 00:14:52 like dating the wrong types of guys, like drinking, just doing anything I could to not realize that my reality was different now. And I was 28 at the time, and I just really wanted to be a wife, like I wanted to be a mom. And it's scary looking back because, I almost went through with it,
Starting point is 00:15:11 and I almost made like a huge, not a sacrifice, but I just almost made a lot of concessions just because I wanted that wife and mom title so bad. So I'm happy looking back that I didn't go through with it, but it was such a, I mean, breakups are a pain, like no other, whether you're engaged
Starting point is 00:15:27 or just dating for a couple months, like it hurts so bad. Yeah. That is so real and so tough. And like, I love, like, what you just said about how you almost went through with it because of the desire to be a wife and a mom. And I think so many girls do that, is because like, they want that picture of, like,
Starting point is 00:15:46 I want to be a wife, I want to be a mom, but you do need to back up for a second and think, like, what does it mean to be a wife? It means to be married to this person, this spouse. And to be a mom, that means this person will be the dad to my kids. And so, like, yes, you want that future, but that future with the wrong person is not the future, the picture your mind is telling you, you know? but that future with the wrong person is not the future the picture of your mind is telling you.
Starting point is 00:16:07 Because if it's the wrong person, and you're going to have the same struggles you're having now in the marriage, it's just actually going to be harder. You know? And so I think one thing we have to say is that breakups are the worst thing. They're horrible, they're terrible, but they're always worth it.
Starting point is 00:16:23 You know? Like, if it's not the right person, it is worth it to break up. So, you wanna talk a little bit about gaining that confidence to break up, because breakups are hard in general, but when you bought a dress and saved the dates are out, like you're facing a lot of like,
Starting point is 00:16:38 a lot of pressure from what other people are gonna think, other people being involved, like how did you gain the confidence to go like, I'm going to do it? And after you did it, how did that feel? Did you hold strong? Did you, like, what did that look like? Oh gosh.
Starting point is 00:16:56 Yeah, I mean, I wish I could say that I was just so in tune with the Lord and I just had this peace about it and it was all from Him. And I mean, ultimately it was from Him, but I was just so lost at that time. Like I just felt like I was searching for any type of like guiding light. But to Lydia's point earlier, I still wasn't even in our engagement, like we still weren't dating or like being together in a way that was how God designed it.
Starting point is 00:17:20 So I feel like there was such a cloud between like me and the Lord at that time. Like I just felt like I couldn't really hear what he was like saying to me. So I was just, you know, I was going to therapy, I was talking to my parents a lot, but ultimately like physically my body was just like telling me I cannot do this. Like I was just holding so much tension and like so much stress and there was just one straw that broke the camel's back. Like some little white lie came out or something and that was just for me. I'm like, okay, this is it. Like I cannot, I can't do this. Like trust is such a big thing. And I just, I, I kind of like knew that I could not move
Starting point is 00:17:54 forward and I just use that incident to be like, okay, this is it. Like I'm making this decision and you know, there's always a way out. Like I feel like a lot of girls are very deep into relationships. And just telling you from someone who's been there, with the dress, with the say the dates, with the venue, there's always a way out. And yeah, it is so worth it. But to answer your question, when I broke up with him,
Starting point is 00:18:17 or ended it in February, it wasn't like a clean break. I went back out to Denver to give the ring back a couple of months later. And at that point, I was deep in the like, I was hopeless. I felt like I had no future without him. I was living away from all my friends and my life in Denver, and I just wanted it all back. And I was really starting to doubt myself, which is a really dangerous place to be. And, you know, thankfully, this was a God thing. Like I pretty much begged to get back together. I was like, I'll come back to Denver, like we can get married, you know, I take it all back basically, because I was just so scared of, you know, this future of being alone. Like I felt like I couldn't
Starting point is 00:18:55 do it without him. So I just completely went back on this moment of strength that I had to originally call it off. And thankfully, you know, he was just not on board with that plan. I think he kind of realized at that time, like, yeah, this actually was the right decision and we're better off apart. And I truly like thank God that he had that insight because it really saved us both from going down a path
Starting point is 00:19:19 that wasn't the best for either of us. So that was, it felt like I experienced the breakup a second time a couple months later, which was really painful. But again, you know, I'm so thankful for it. Yeah. That was like the close. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:19:33 I kind of did something similar in a breakup where I like, it was actually years later. We reconnected, like kind of randomly, ended up being in the same place at the same time. And then it was like, oh, interesting, interesting. And if, I don't know if you girls are like this, but I feel like a lot of girls are like this, like you will search for any sign.
Starting point is 00:19:53 It's like, could this be a sign that we were at the same place at the same time? Because everything changed and blah. And you can take yourself down a long rabbit trail of like the signs. And so anyways, it's like, oh, maybe this means I can give them another chance, blah, blah. Well, we end up going to lunch and then all of a sudden
Starting point is 00:20:08 I'm like right back in love. I'm like, oh my gosh, like everything's great. You know, we just need to time off, blah, blah, blah. Well, what's crazy is like I had shared with so many people how our relationship was at this point. So like I had already come clean. Like this is the way we were dating. It was not good.
Starting point is 00:20:25 It was not godly. I was this way. He was that way. Like, very honest with mentors and friends and had to be honest with them to work past that relationship. And that was a huge part of me getting past the breakup in general was like, it took me like six months to finally be honest with someone about how
Starting point is 00:20:44 our relationship really was. Then when I actually was honest, I was like, OK, me like six months to finally be honest with someone about how our relationship really was. Then when I actually was honest, I was like, okay, there's no going back now, because now everybody knows, which was actually so freeing, because I was just like, I'm not fooling anyone. Like everyone knows the way it is. And so now everyone's like kept me confident
Starting point is 00:21:00 in not being with this person. Well then years go by and like you forget things and your feelings come back and only the good ones and blah, blah, blah. And so I'm just like, oh, this is great. So I call a mentor who knew everything and I'm like, oh my gosh, we just had lunch and it was so good and it was so perfect and blah, blah, blah.
Starting point is 00:21:18 And she's like, are you serious? And I'm like, yes, but it's all changed and all this stuff. And she said, okay, on a scale from like one to 10, like how confident are you to like go into this? I'm like a 10. Like so dramatic. It's always 10. It's always 10.
Starting point is 00:21:33 Cause it's like when you're like, I feel like when it comes to dating and butterflies and feelings and passion and maybe a little lust and maybe a little love or whatever it is, like your emotions will just be like 10. Like I'm all in, like it's all fine. Like you said, I take it all back.
Starting point is 00:21:48 We can get married. It's not just like, let's start dating. It's like, let's get married. It's like all in. And she was like, okay, okay. And I just remember trying to convince her like how good it was. And I feel like a lot of times
Starting point is 00:22:02 when you know something is not right, you like overcompensate for it. You're trying to convince your friends why this is good. And they're trying to listen. And I remember seeing on her face, she's not sure about this. And definitely there were red flags, a lot of red flags. She should have been questioning. Even things I was saying that made me feel so confident.
Starting point is 00:22:21 It's like, why would that make you feel so confident? And anyways, it was probably two weeks later that we realized actually this is not what's best for either of us. We're different people now. We've changed so much. This is just not going to work. And I just remember that being such an interesting learning
Starting point is 00:22:41 lesson about me as a person, for how I can go from like knowing what's right to all of a sudden like just a hundred percent diving back in. And actually a counselor told me this at one point, not in the context of a breakup, it was actually over something else, but she said, let's build your case. And she said, not to argue it,
Starting point is 00:23:00 not to this case will go nowhere, you will never show this person, you will never show anyone outside of these walls. But I want you to build your case for truth, that way when your mind starts telling you, oh, because it was a manipulative situation. She was like, you know truth, and you have it all written down.
Starting point is 00:23:18 And so I built this case on time for a moment that I kept getting manipulated into. And I wrote down all the things that were absolutely true. Like I told my counselor, we wrote it down. And then any time I would go back into that cycle of being manipulated, I would be like, okay, no, this is true. And like my mind is playing tricks on me
Starting point is 00:23:36 because of I'm emotionally attached. Your mind is playing tricks on me because I have loved this person before or whatever it is. And I think that's really good for a breakup. Build your case. You don't need to tell that person your case. This is not for the person to hear. This is not for the world to hear.
Starting point is 00:23:53 It's not even necessary for your friends to hear. It's for you to know what's true. And write down things that your friends have said. Write down things your mentors said. Write down things that you know is true. Because when your emotions start lying to you, when a attachment starts lying to you, when a past situation or traumatic event starts lying to you,
Starting point is 00:24:11 you will be able to stand firm on like, this is what I know is true. Now, can people change? Yes. Are there circumstances where people come back into the picture and it is the right time? Yes. That is a lot of people's stories.
Starting point is 00:24:25 So I'm not saying like, ignore that. There are certainly times where it is worth a second chance. In my case, it wasn't. And in your case, it wasn't. Sometimes it's just not, you know? Okay, friends, you all know how Mother's Day rolls around and suddenly we're all grabbing the same old gifts. Another sweater, another candle, maybe even the typical bathrobe.
Starting point is 00:24:53 I mean, bless. But we can do better. This year let's level up. Aura Frames are such an awesome way to make your mom, your aunt, your grandma, or whoever the lady in your life is feel special. They're named the best digital photo frame by Wirecutter, and it's easy to see why. You can send unlimited photos straight from your phone
Starting point is 00:25:11 to her frame, no memory card required, and it only takes two minutes to set up. Plus with the Aura app, you get to control who can send the photo, so it's all her favorite faces in one place. It's actually really sweet. I've given the Aura frame to many people in my life. My grandma actually has one and yesterday,
Starting point is 00:25:28 I was like, hey, for Mother's Day, I wanted to print out some pictures for you. And she goes, why don't you just send them to my Aura Frame? And I was like, oh, yeah, perfect. So it really is the gift that keeps on giving. Aura has a great deal for Mother's Day for a limited time listeners can save on the perfect gift by visiting AuraFrames.com.
Starting point is 00:25:43 They get $35 off plus free shipping on their best selling Carver matte frame. That's AuraFrames, A-U-R-A, frames.com with the promo code, woe. Support this show by mentioning us at check out terms and conditions apply. Lydia, I wanna talk to you about this because the reality is like breakups are
Starting point is 00:26:05 so hard to get over and so that's why you go back. Do you remember how long because you mentioned like months years like how long did it actually take you to get over someone and how did you get over them? Yeah, a long time, a long time which is almost embarrassing to admit, but really not because I didn't get over them until I went to the right source wholeheartedly. Because, and really it wasn't even just one person, you know, like I mentioned,
Starting point is 00:26:39 I went through a couple of hard breakups and both of those people, you know, lingered in my mind for years, honestly. Yeah, I talk about the mind lingering. They lingered in my mind for years and both of those people I did not date in a godly manner. I did not date in a pure way, you know? And so they lingered for truly years.
Starting point is 00:27:03 And there would be times I remember I would talk to my friends and like you said at the beginning, breakups definitely bond you with people. For sure, they bond you. And there'd be times I would just, I would be crying and just be like, will there ever be a day that he doesn't cross my mind? Like, will there ever be a day that I don't go back there?
Starting point is 00:27:25 And you know, even in those moments, I could truly know wholeheartedly, like it was right to break up. I'm thankful we're not together anymore. Like that was not the person for me. But my mind would still just go back there every single day, truly, every single day. The reality is, even if it's wrong and it's hard,
Starting point is 00:27:46 you still miss them. Yes. There was something you loved about them. There was, there was so much love there. And so it was a long time because even after that college breakup I was talking about, I gave my life to the Lord, it was only really six to eight months, I guess,
Starting point is 00:28:05 probably after that breakup is when I surrendered my life to the Lord, truly, for the first time in my life. And that was real, you know, that changed my life, truly, completely changed my life for the rest of my life. But I hadn't fully surrendered that breakup to the Lord. You know, I had surrendered my whole life, yes, but the just individual pieces, there were still like little things we've talked about this, you almost hold on to the pain for comfort, which is such a crazy thing, but you do,
Starting point is 00:28:36 you almost just hold on to that pain for comfort. And even a part of your mind, y'all might agree or not, but there was almost comfort in like the memories still being there and the like the moment still being there. And so I would think to myself, you know, will there ever be a day that this isn't my life? And I even got to the point where I was like, you know, this is just gonna be my life.
Starting point is 00:28:57 I'm gonna be 40 years old and I'm still gonna be thinking about him and I'm still gonna be thinking about what could have been, even though I knew it was wrong, like I'm still gonna be thinking that. And that's just not though I knew it was wrong, like I'm still gonna be thinking that. And that's just not the truth, you know? It doesn't have to be the truth. And I remember, I don't remember exactly when it was,
Starting point is 00:29:12 but talking to you, Sadie, a few months later probably, or maybe even longer than that later, and we were on our way to this like church event. And I was like, I said it to you, I was like, will there be a day that I don't think about him? Like, will there be a day that I find like he won't be in my mind anymore? And I remember you were like,
Starting point is 00:29:33 well, have you truly surrendered him and not break up to the Lord? And I was like, yeah, like, yeah, of course I have. Of course I have. And you're like, no, like have you truly surrendered it to the Lord? And you told me about a time when, I think a mentor told you to do this too.
Starting point is 00:29:48 And you told me about a time that you literally like late at night by yourself in your bedroom, got on your knees and like through tears surrendered him to the Lord and you gave it to Jesus. And I had not done that. Like, because like I I said a minute ago, there's a part of us that almost wants to hold on to those memories and hold on to the pain of it.
Starting point is 00:30:11 And so you said that and I was like, well, nope, I haven't done that. And so I remember that night I got home and I was like, I want to surrender this. I don't, in reality, I don't want to feel like this for the rest of my life. I don't want to want to feel like this for the rest of my life. I don't want to hold on to the past for the rest of my life.
Starting point is 00:30:28 I don't want to hold on to the good or the bad, you know? And so I did, I got on my knees in my bedroom by myself and I threw a lot of tears, just surrendered. And I said, God, I don't want to hold on to this. I don't want these memories to hold me down for the rest of my life, you know, whether it's good or bad, I want you to take this from me. Like I want to hold onto this. I don't want these memories to hold me down for the rest of my life, whether it's good or bad. I want you to take this from me.
Starting point is 00:30:48 I want to be able to wholly give myself to someone one day, fully without this being a part of it. And even after that, there was so much freedom, but even after that, I will say, was it just immediately, completely gone? No, and I've talked about this on here before, but even with Reeves, who's now my husband, you know, when we were dating, I, especially when we were
Starting point is 00:31:12 dating, like I had to talk to him about it, about like memories coming up or different things. And I had to talk to him about that even through our dating, like I was still learning to heal from past relationships and past things I'd walked through and that was because with Reeves it was the right person, it was a healthy relationship, it was a spirit-led relationship which was not what I had ever experienced before. And so even with him I had more healing to learn because I was learning how to be loved well and
Starting point is 00:31:43 how to be led well by a man who truly loved the Lord more than he loved me. And so long story short, it took years, but it took intentional healing. It didn't just happen overnight. It took intentional surrender and talking about it out loud with my friends and my, who was my boyfriend, my husband, like it took not holding it in. I think that's a huge part of it is if you just hold it in on your own, if you just keep that to yourself, it probably will linger for even longer. You know, when I've in my life, different scenarios, the most freedom that you find
Starting point is 00:32:22 is when you finally choose to say it out loud to someone else. Because that's when accountability comes in. And that's also when prayer comes in. It's also when you have people fighting on your side too. And so for me, it was when I started to actually, not just complain about it, or not just cry about it to people, but actually come to people about it. Like, hey, I want to be healed from this.
Starting point is 00:32:44 I want to find healed from this. I want to find freedom from this. I think if there's any relationship you feel needs to be secretive, then it's probably a lot of unhealth in that. Because there were certainly people I dated and broke up with, and we moved on fine. Again, because we dated well. It wasn't secretive.
Starting point is 00:33:00 It wasn't bad. It's the ones that you maybe, and we talked about this before this podcast, maybe you bonded with them over a secret thing. You bonded with them over a traumatic thing. And so you attach yourself to them, a lot of times sexually, a lot of times emotionally, spiritually, it can be any kind of attachment that just maybe went too far outside of the context
Starting point is 00:33:21 of what dating is supposed to be, where you dipped your toes into what marriage is supposed to be, which you dipped your toes into what marriage is supposed to be, which is why the breakup feels like such a rip, because you have attached yourself to that person so emotionally, so whatever it is. And so I think walking from that, man, you have to walk through that with God
Starting point is 00:33:40 and with other people. You have to surrender that to the Lord, surrender that attachment, like break it off of me, God, break to surrender that to the Lord. Surrender that attachment. Like break it off of me, God. Break it off of them, Lord. Like really let it go. And I mean, I remember the mind lingering thing too. And I remember when you asked me that,
Starting point is 00:33:56 feeling like encouraged to tell you like, yeah, there will be a day where you're not thinking about that, you know? Because I remember thinking the same thing. Will there ever be a day I don't think about this person? And I can't tell you when the day was I stopped, but I just did. You know, and I will say a lot of work went into that. A lot of prayer, a lot of surrendering, a lot of taking thoughts captive, you know, like literally saying like, no, I will not think about that. Lord, put a different picture in my mind.
Starting point is 00:34:26 Put a different thought in my mind. Put a redemption thought in my mind. And that was just a part of the walking it out process. And now, man, again, when we look back, we're testifying. We're giving advice. We're speaking into it from a place of overcoming those things. And I love how you are so honest to say, even in your relationship with Reeves,
Starting point is 00:34:46 there were some things that hadn't been completely healed in your mind or in your heart that you even talked to him about, you know? And I remember saying for Christian, I remember one night being like, hey, this thing happened in a relationship and I'm bringing it into this one. And I know that.
Starting point is 00:35:03 And it has nothing to do with you. It has something to do with a past relationship. And this moment is mirroring it, even though you're not that person, you're not doing this. This is how I'm feeling. And I remember us having some of the best conversations from those moments. And that's what made our relationship so strong
Starting point is 00:35:20 is overcoming some of those things together. But to the point of only Jesus can heal your heart, that is true, only Jesus can heal your heart. Your spouse is not gonna do that for you. Your future person is not gonna do that for you. Like, Jesus has to do that for you. And so many people wait for the husband to be the redemption story,
Starting point is 00:35:39 and he's not the redemption story. He's a beautiful part of the redemption, but he doesn't heal your heart like Jesus can and will actually heal your heart. And I'm really thankful for the ways Christian has helped me through the process, but I'm also thankful that I didn't try to let him be that for me because I don't think it would have ever worked out.
Starting point is 00:36:01 And the truth is, after I went through a really hard breakup, I just went from guy to guy to guy, trying to find redemption through the next relationship. Trying to put a bandaid on what happened in the past with a new person, or create new memories with this person, just recreate what I used to have with a new person. And as long as I was comparing this person to our past relationship, it was always, it was never working. It was always failing. It wasn't fair to that person. It wasn't ever setting us up to be in a good relationship.
Starting point is 00:36:32 And I'm thankful that pattern stopped before I met Christian because we wouldn't have, I don't think our story would be what it is if I had gone into this thinking it was going to heal a past thing. I was already healed of the past thing, so I was able to go in whole. And I think, again, if I look back to the ways I dated and broke up, what I would tell myself, hindsight, I wish I would have stayed single longer, because I wish I wasn't trying to use people to heal something that only God could, because again, it hurt them. I put them in the place of God. And anytime you put a person in the place of God,
Starting point is 00:37:11 you will be disappointed, and you will put something on someone else that is never their weight to carry. And it's hard for both of you. Liv, I wanna talk to you about that aspect because you're single right now. And I think a lot of people do, when you go through a breakup, you even said it,
Starting point is 00:37:28 I feared being alone. Could I do that? What would that look like? And your redemption hasn't come in the form of another person yet. What does that look like for you now in the healing process? Yeah, that's something that Lydia and I talked about too, like at length coming into this,
Starting point is 00:37:45 just really wanting to make it clear that, like you said, like a husband is not the prize at the end of this story. Like Lydia and I are both sitting here and like we both have whole hearts and like that's the success. Like that is the victory in that because of, you know, the confidence and identity that I have
Starting point is 00:38:03 because of my relationship with Jesus. So I think, yeah, I am single, and I still do have that desire to be married and be a mom, but it's not kind of like my main goal in life right now. Like I think before when I was dating, I was really just like, I'll try this, I'll try this guy, just like making excuses for these guys and convincing my friends that they're actually better than what they seem, which is never true.
Starting point is 00:38:29 Sidebar. Convincing, yes. If you're convincing your girlfriends or your close circle, that's just a sign. Just trust yourself that it's not right. And I think now I'm just so much more content. I think that's a good word for it. I think you can still, those two things can coexist.
Starting point is 00:38:46 You can still have that desire, but then I think it's just, there's just such a peace in knowing that that's not why I'm on this earth to be a wife. I'm just here to love Jesus and love others the way that we're called to. It's been really great. And also because of my relationship with Jesus, and that's come through all this hurt and pain from these breakups, It's been really great. And also, because of my relationship with Jesus, and that's come through all this hurt and pain from these breakups, and just learning a lot of things the hard way, I do have this sense of confidence
Starting point is 00:39:13 because of that relationship with the Lord that allows me to do stuff like walk through the doors that He opens for me, like moving to Louisiana and taking this opportunity. I never would have had that, I never would have done that if I didn't have this confidence that comes from like a lot of mistakes and a lot of failing and trying to solve things on my own. That's so good. All right, mamas, let's talk for a second about screen time. I know we've all been there.
Starting point is 00:39:41 You just need a few minutes to cook dinner full of laundry and the kids want to watch something. But finding shows that are actually safe, fun, and full of truth can be overwhelming. And that's why I am a huge fan of Minnow. Minnow is an amazing platform full of Christian shows and devotionals made just for kids and families. It's honestly such a relief to have a place where I don't have to screen every little thing because I already know it's rooted in faith and full of the values I want my kids to grow up with.
Starting point is 00:40:06 And let me tell you, it is not boring. Minnow has tons of awesome shows like Veggie Tales, Laugh and Grow Bible, Young David, and The Dead Sea Squirrels. Whether it's movie night, a rainy day, or just a we all need a break moment, Minnow keeps Honey and Haven entertained and pointing towards Jesus.
Starting point is 00:40:23 The best part is that it helps start conversations about God in such a natural, simple way. As parents, we are trying to plant seeds of faith, and Meno is such a helpful partner in that. If you've been wanting to make sure screen time in your house is truly intentional and low stress, Meno is where it is at, y'all. We love the Meno app.
Starting point is 00:40:42 I think it is incredible what they're doing. And also, I just got to meet the Minnow team and they are some of the best people. And they truly care so much about your kids and that you're growing them up in a faithful environment. And they understand that entertainment is one of the most powerful things
Starting point is 00:40:56 that creeps into our lives and makes us who we are. And so that's why they do what they do. So visit gominnow.com to start your free trial today. Plus you can use the code WO to get your first month for free. This is a web-only exclusive offer, so make sure to sign up at GoMino.com with the code WO-WHOA to get your first month for free. I think when we talk about a breakup being hard
Starting point is 00:41:21 because your future gets ripped, it's because you put all of your future in the hands of this person who, at the end of the day, whether he's your person or not, that cannot be the anchor of our future in a person because life is fleeting. So I think what I hear you say that's so beautiful is your future plans are in the Lord.
Starting point is 00:41:45 Like it's anchored in the Lord. So therefore, if the Lord calls you from Chicago to Louisiana, you're able to say yes without it completely shattering your whole life because you're like, my future's in the Lord. So it's what He has for me. Even though it might look different than what I had planned or what I thought,
Starting point is 00:42:03 God, if this is your plan, it's better. So let's see what it is. And I think that that takes a lot of faith. It takes a lot of trust to really anchor your future in the Lord, but man, if you can, it helps so much in anything in life, everything in life, not just breakups, not just dating, every single aspect of your life,
Starting point is 00:42:22 if you can put your hands on the future. Because the truth is, life happens. You get, you know, you lose your job, you, COVID hits and the whole world shuts down. Like future plans all of a sudden shatter in an instant for many, many people in many circumstances. And that's why like you cannot put all of your future in the palm of a person or the palm of a job
Starting point is 00:42:46 or a situation, or you're setting yourself up for a shattering, you know? Which is hard. All this is easier said than done, but it's able to be done through faith and through a relationship with Christ. I wanted to ask, because you shared a little bit of this with me outside of the podcast, but your relationship with Christ. I wanted to ask because you shared a little bit of this with me outside of the podcast,
Starting point is 00:43:06 but your relationship with the Lord wasn't always so solid. You know? Yes. I know after you went through your breakup, you mentioned this just like we did. You went from like that to partying or like you replaced it with other things. When was it that you realized this is not fulfilling?
Starting point is 00:43:25 Yeah, I was kind of the queen of like having my one foot in both camps. Like I really just wanted the best of both worlds, which is ironic, because when you live like that, you get the best of neither. And so I was living in Chicago, was going through a breakup, not the engagement, but another breakup,
Starting point is 00:43:47 and just kind of started going to church because I had nothing else really to do and I needed friends. And then I got involved in a small group, which was amazing and kind of opened my eyes to like cool Christian community. Like I didn't really know that existed up until then. And I kind of felt this nudging
Starting point is 00:44:03 to go to this program called Alpha, which is awesome. If you have the opportunity to do it, you totally should. And through that, kind of like what you were saying, I just had this moment of it just became real to me. Just having the relationship with Jesus just became real. And that's when my heart started to kind of totally change. So not to say that from there it's been perfect ever since.
Starting point is 00:44:27 Like right coming out of that program, I was on this like spiritual high. I was like, this is awesome. And then started getting pursued by a guy who was, you know, not a super strong Christian, but really hit every one of my like weaknesses when it would come to guys that I, you know, would normally date, like super confident,
Starting point is 00:44:46 athletic, competitive, funny, just like we were great friends. And in my mind, I'm like, you know what? I can be Christian enough for both of us. Like, he'll come to church with me, and that's fine. That'll work. It's all fine. And push came to shove, and it was not fine. And thankfully, he was kind of the one
Starting point is 00:45:02 who put the end to that, because I would have hung on way longer, because it's just old habits die so hard. Like I just wanted so hard to, you know, exhaust every option to make it work because I'm like, well, maybe, you know, maybe we can make it work. Like maybe he'll start coming to church and whatever, all the things we tell ourselves. But, but yeah, so that was kind of an interesting experiment for me to kind of try dating like the right way, like with this kind of new heart change in me. And which was, you know, I'm thankful for it.
Starting point is 00:45:34 It still hurt, even though I kind of knew deep down, like, yeah, this isn't it. But I think you just have, I just have to, you know, continue to keep learning like what dating looks like on this side of things. Man, that is so real and so good. I certainly experienced that too. Just another guy coming in and checking all the boxes
Starting point is 00:45:53 of what would get me and be like, oh man, this is awesome, because we were friends and everything. And it was actually in that relationship that I kind of let my guard down a little bit on the things that I prioritized, or I guess knew were important when it came to dating, because I thought, because this person was a Christian,
Starting point is 00:46:16 that he was gonna lead like that, but you cannot let your guard down and just assume the other person is where you're at or going to lead like that, because again, kind of like you said, I would have let it go a lot further because I wasn't strong enough at the time. I let my emotions take control.
Starting point is 00:46:32 I let all of that get in the way. And I surprised myself in how I allowed that to go on. But at the same time, I'm like, well, I'm a vulnerable person. You know, like we all are. And so again, that was a secretive thing. I wasn't opening up to my friends. I wasn't sharing.
Starting point is 00:46:51 And so therefore, you're vulnerable to your emotions. You're vulnerable to this relationship. And so I do think like it is so important as women and men too, if you're listening to this, hold strong, hold strong to your convictions, be on guard. You, it is your responsibility to guard your heart for it is the wellspring of your life. So it's like, that's your job to do that. It's not your boyfriend's job necessarily to guard your heart at that point.
Starting point is 00:47:23 Yes, he should guard your heart. He should care about your heart. But the Bible says above all else, guard your heart at that point. Like, yes, he should guard your heart. He should care about your heart. But the Bible says, above all else, guard your heart. Like, you are taking a little bit of that responsibility, a lot of that responsibility. And so I think one thing we've all talked about is we had, and I don't know how much we've said on the podcast more than we said it before,
Starting point is 00:47:41 we had these certain things that were important to us going into a relationship. And then over time, those things became less important, not because they weren't so important, but because emotions took over or lust took over or whatever it was took over. And after the fact, when it broke up, those are the things we regret letting go of,
Starting point is 00:48:01 was the boundaries we set going in, was the conviction we set going in, was the conviction we set going in, was the on-guardness we set going in. And I just think that too many times I would let them have my heart instead of guarding my heart. And man, I just can't stress enough. Like, if you're not in a relationship,
Starting point is 00:48:20 like kind of write some things out for what dating is gonna look like for you. Like, this is what I want it to look like. This is the expectation that I have in dating. Now I'm not saying like make a list of how he needs to be, because that's what we like to do, we like to make the list of like how he's gonna be. You know, like, how are you gonna be?
Starting point is 00:48:37 Like, how am I gonna act in a relationship? How am I gonna be treated, allow myself to be treated? How am I going to like pursue this? Because that's gonna help you so much. It's kind of like building your case. It's like building out your intentions and then sticking to that. Because when Christian and I started dating,
Starting point is 00:48:54 we started our relationship so different than any relationship I had been in because I knew I had to do this differently. We started out, before we even went on a date, we read through Proverbs together. And I can't even tell you how helpful that was. It was so helpful because we both started out, I mean, Proverbs starts,
Starting point is 00:49:11 fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. So we start out with the foundation of wisdom coming from the word. When it came to convincing my friends, like my friends were unsure about our relationship, not because of him, but really because of me. I never felt the need to convince them of who he was. I was like, this, the fruit will do the talking.
Starting point is 00:49:27 Like they will see, but more than that, I remember Lainey saying like, at the time her dad said that, she's like, I don't need to see the person, I need to see how you are. Cause like you will tell me everything I need to know about the person. And I was like the best version of myself with him. Like he was protecting my heart.
Starting point is 00:49:46 He was affirming the things that I had come in, feeling strongly about. He was right there with me in all those things. And then also leading me in some things. Like I remember some of his convictions were actually stronger than mine. Like I didn't necessarily have that as a boundary and he was like adamant about that.
Starting point is 00:50:02 And then I was like, that was very respectable to me. And so I think when you start a relationship off with your intentions of what this is gonna be, you're able to hold strong, not because you're having to hold it all, they're holding it too. They're holding their weight, they're holding their conviction,
Starting point is 00:50:16 they're guarding their heart, you're doing the same thing. Just sets you up so much better because we've taught so much about how like, we didn't date well, so our breakups are bad. So we do need to talk a little bit about how you do date well. So Lydia, you want to talk a little bit about dating Reeves well and some things that y'all did that you feel like helped you a lot
Starting point is 00:50:34 in the process of being where y'all are at? Yeah. I think with Reeves, like you said, I just knew. I knew, one, I also, I didn knew, I knew one, I also, I didn't want to date Reeves until I felt like I was ready to date well, you know? And I really wasn't, which we've talked about this before on the podcast, but when Reeves first came to me
Starting point is 00:50:57 and told me how he felt about me, I was not ready to date well. And even, and at that time I might not have even admitted that, but I wasn't. And the Lord was so gracious in that regard to kind of keep us apart for a little bit longer. And then when we came together to date, we really did, like you said,
Starting point is 00:51:16 it was so different than anything I had ever been in before because it was truly with a foundation of Jesus Christ being like the center of that relationship. And so, I mean, our first date, the first day we're sitting across the table from each other and we're talking about how we want to be pure in this relationship, how we want to honor the Lord in this relationship, how we don't want it to look like what it's looked like before.
Starting point is 00:51:42 Like, we want this to be what the Lord wants it to be, wholeheartedly, you know? And that was so different, you know? That would never have been a conversation in a past relationship at all, unless it was a joke, you know, honestly. And so we were, our first date, we were saying this, which we talked about it before, even our first date,
Starting point is 00:52:03 but especially just that first date when it was like, this is really happening. We said this, like, we will date right. Like, we went into it saying that. And I've said this before too. I really did, even before Reeves, I remember praying because we, as I was just weak, I was just weak and I remember praying, Lord, I need you to send me a strong man who will lead me how you want him to lead me, and who will point me to you, and who will not, you know, when I'm weak, I need him to be strong. And when he's weak, I want to be strong for him. Like, I remember praying those specific prayers, and God will, he comes through when we're praying things like that, you know, like,
Starting point is 00:52:44 he wants that for us too. And Reeves really was that person for me. And God, well, He comes through when we're praying things like that, you know, like He wants that for us too. And Reeves really was that person for me. And so, throughout our relationship, it really was like, when I was weak, He was able to be strong. And when He was weak, I was able to be more strong. And that was again, just the Lord's grace over both of us and in our relationship. And did we do it all perfectly? Like, no, of course not. We didn't do it perfect because we're humans and we're flawed, but we truly, I can say with 100% confidence, we truly pursue the Lord with everything we had in our dating relationship, with everything we had.
Starting point is 00:53:16 And I never, I truly, before Reeves, I really didn't think that that would be my story. I really didn't think that that would be possible.. I really didn't think that that would be possible. And it was, but only by the grace of God was that possible. I think it's the difference in going from how we all used to be like, oh, they're Christian. They checked the box to being like, no, my relationship with the Lord
Starting point is 00:53:39 is the most important thing in my life. So we need to establish this before even our second date. That's where I'm at. And then when you hear that back from the other side, it's not just like, oh, they're a Christian. It's like, they are pursuing the Lord. They are pursuing a godly relationship. That's what they want.
Starting point is 00:53:55 Then you're like, okay, because then I'm not gonna carry the weight of this relationship being pure. You're gonna do it too. And not even just pure, I'm not even just talking about don't have sex, I'm talking about like a pure in heart, like a kind, like a caring for one another's life and mental state and well-being and being the biggest cheerleader and actually being a best friend. Not just, oh we're best friends, no like they're your best friend. Like all of the different things. That's so, so, so important when you make that jump from like, oh, it's just a part of our relationship to,
Starting point is 00:54:26 it's our whole relationship. Yeah, it's a part of our relationship. No, it's the foundation of our relationship. You have to decide it before the relationship begins. It's like, I mean, people quote it all the time when it says, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Well, if that's gonna be a banner over your life,
Starting point is 00:54:41 then who you marry is gonna carry that with you. So I think going into a relationship going, okay, if me and my house are gonna serve the Lord, is this person gonna be a person that establishes the household of serving the Lord? And when you see that in someone, it's like, okay, this is a good relationship. Now, sometimes you're gonna date an awesome Christian guy
Starting point is 00:55:01 and that's still not gonna be your person and that's okay. That was a weird thing for me, was breaking up with someone who was great. That was like, cause I'd only been through like, oh, it was so bad. So we break up. And I remember the first time like I broke up with someone who was actually just awesome
Starting point is 00:55:16 and feeling like, oh, this is like so risky because he's such a good person. And what if I don't find, you know, another person that's so good? But like at the end of the day, I knew he wasn't my person. And that's where you just have to have faith in the Lord and go like, okay, confidence in things we hope for, assurance in the things we don't see.
Starting point is 00:55:34 But if I don't have a piece about this, it's not right, then I'm gonna trust you. And I remember breaking up with this person who was truly just like, salt of the earth guy, so kind, didn't do anything wrong, in fact did everything right. And that's what kind of even made me realize it's not right is because I'm like, I should be in love with you, but I'm just not for some reason.
Starting point is 00:55:53 Well then six months later, I'm a Christian and I know why, he was my person, that's who God had for me. And chemistry wise, it was just there, whereas this other person, he was a great guy, I just didn't like chemistry,. I just didn't like chemistry. Like I just didn't like him like that. And I think a lot of girls are like, okay, well, I guess I'll break it with the guy
Starting point is 00:56:11 I have chemistry with, you know, date the guy that's godly. And then they're like scared to break it with a godly guy because what if, you know, he's godly? I think you do also need to be in love with him. You know, like, don't think like there's both. You can't have both, like, God wants you to have both. You're gonna have, like, the godliness and the chemistry. Like, you're actually gonna love them
Starting point is 00:56:31 and, like, want to marry them and have all the passion and all the love, but also, like, the godliness in the relationship. Like, both really are important. And so, like, wait for that. Like, you're worth waiting for that. The relationship is worth waiting for and you can have both.
Starting point is 00:56:48 And I know when you go through a breakup, it seems impossible. It seems so far out. It seems like this is ever gonna happen. And you really just have to trust the Lord's timing because when you hear people's stories of how they met, I love hearing people's stories of how they met. I ask people almost every time they're in the pockets,
Starting point is 00:57:03 how did you and your husband meet? Because it's always like such a God thing. Like you're not looking, it just happens. It just, you know, and that's where you really just have to trust God with your story, you know? And that's what's gonna be amazing, Liv, as time goes on to just see what God has for you and how that unfolds.
Starting point is 00:57:20 And what a joy to rest in the fact that God has your future and knowing that you don't have to do anything to strive to find your husband to search the world, how could you? But you get to rest in knowing that you're making yourself available and God's gonna bring the right guy at the right time. But before that comes, you're whole. Before that comes, God's got you.
Starting point is 00:57:42 And it's just a beautiful thing. And so I think if you hear anything in all of this, and I hope you heard a lot, I hope you take a lot, I sure have. Just from listening. Can I say one more thing before we wrap up? Oh yes, please do. If you're the girl who's either in the relationship still
Starting point is 00:57:55 because of like an attachment, or maybe you're in the post-breakup and you're hurting because of some sort of attachment, whether that was a boundary crossed, or in my story, I walked through something really traumatic with one of my boyfriends and I didn't realize it until years later really and truly,
Starting point is 00:58:15 but because of that traumatic experience that we had together, I put everything I had in his hands because I truly believe that if it wasn't gonna be him, it would be nobody else. And I feel like a lot of people kind of put them, might find themselves in a situation like that. I know that's a vague, a vague experience, but again, whether that's a boundary crossed
Starting point is 00:58:38 or a traumatic experience that you go through together or whatever it may be, for me, I remember convincing myself, well, if it's not him, then no one else is gonna love me because of this thing that we walked through. And so for the longest time, that was why I stayed, looking back, because the relationship was not good. There was a lot of hurt and pain, but I had convinced myself, if it's not him,
Starting point is 00:59:02 no one else will ever love me. Or if it's not him, what if he tells, you know, like what if he goes and tells everyone about this or what if, you know, just lies just would flood my mind. And I know that y'all have experienced similar kind of things, and I feel like a lot of people have, when you walk through something with someone
Starting point is 00:59:21 or you've crossed a boundary with someone, the lies that flood your mind, they just begin to sound like the truth. Yeah. You know? And that was my story was the lies began to be the truth in my life. And it was that if it's not him, it'll be no one else.
Starting point is 00:59:34 And then we broke up. And that's why that devastation was there because those lies were my truth that it's not him. So now I'm, you know, I'm ruined. Like I'm damaged now I'm ruined. I'm damaged, I'm ruined. No one else is gonna be able to look past this. And so for years I even held on to that.
Starting point is 00:59:52 I didn't tell anyone else. I held those lies to myself and to my chest. And then Reeves was the first person I told about that, who is my husband now, And obviously he loves me. The lies were not the truth. But I just want to say that for the girl who may be staying in a relationship because of a scenario that you might relate to similar to that of if it's not him, it won't be anyone else because there's no one else that could forgive me or could love me.
Starting point is 01:00:22 That's not true. And that's a lie straight from the enemy. And there is so much freedom to be found, no matter what it is. It doesn't matter what it is. Those are lies in your mind. And the breakup, like you said, it's kind of similar because you were engaged,
Starting point is 01:00:39 like you had it all. And so it's so hard to see, how could I really do this? How could I go through with this And so it's so hard to see like, how could I really do this? How could I go through with this? But it's so worth it because it's so worth it to be, even to be alone, like it's worth it. It's better than being with the wrong person, that the Lord didn't intend for you to ever be with.
Starting point is 01:01:00 100%. It's so true, Lydia. I'm so glad you said that because similar, when we talked about this, there were things in my mind that made me not break up because of attachments that I had, because of secrets that either we did and needed to keep or secrets that I told him that I was scared would get out if not,
Starting point is 01:01:18 or just bonding things that he knew that I thought, okay, this bonds me to this person forever. And it can't not be him. And then the fear of like, will someone else love me because of these things and all those different things. But even sometimes it's not even just your own mind that's telling you lie. I remember someone else actually telling me that.
Starting point is 01:01:38 I remember someone telling me, no one's gonna love you because of that. And like, how could you be in another relationship? And so then it's like your insecurity is affirmed because you're like, oh man, if that person said it is true. And still not true. Just because someone gives you advice doesn't mean it's good advice.
Starting point is 01:01:59 I think that's something a lot of people need to learn is discernment and friendships. And when someone says something, you know, they could be acting on their own insecurity, they could be acting on jealousy, they could be acting on their own past, their own behavior. Doesn't mean it's true. And I remember that being like so scary to me.
Starting point is 01:02:15 Like, would I be able to find someone that loved me because of the things that we had done? And you know, like you said, there's forgiveness for every aspect. There's grace for every aspect because the blood of Jesus covers all. One, God will forgive you. God will redeem it. God will make your story right.
Starting point is 01:02:37 There's nothing that bonds you too close to a person that God cannot completely heal and redeem. Literally, if he could roll a tomb and walk out of the grave dead to alive, he can redeem anything. He can resurrect any part of your life. And so you need to realize that, that there is hope in the future.
Starting point is 01:02:55 And then if God has a person for you in marriage, then guess what? If that person believes in the power of God too, he'll believe it over your life. And that was one of those powerful things about Christian and I, our dating relationship, was hearing each other's past and realizing, one, we can forgive each other for the past
Starting point is 01:03:15 that we're bringing into this, because we've both been forgiven. Right. You know, because we've both been healed, because we've both been redeemed. And so in both of our stories, thinking, will someone ever love me again? Will somebody get over it?
Starting point is 01:03:27 Will I find forgiveness? We both did, but you find it in Christ first. And then if a person loves Christ, he'll find it in you too, because he sees you through the lens of Christ. And that's the beauty of having a godly relationship, is that you have God in the relationship. You have a redeemer in the relationship.
Starting point is 01:03:44 You have the ultimate forgiver, the ultimate, the form of love, like grace in and of itself. And so it's absolutely true for every friend out there listening, there is not one thing you have walked through that God cannot redeem in your life. There's not one thing that you and a person have done
Starting point is 01:04:02 that is too far for God to make whole again. And if there is a, if there is, if fear is the reason you're saying in a relationship, then it is not a good reason to say in a relationship. That is fear talking, those are lies talking. Trust God enough that he has better for your life. And trust God enough that he has better for your person's life and allow that person to go.
Starting point is 01:04:25 I mean, the part of that surrender part is knowing that person's going to marry someone else. And that's hard to come to the terms with. At the same time, you're going to marry someone else. God has something better for both of you. And so you have to trust God with your story. You have to trust God with your future and know that in trusting God, although it's hard, is the best thing that could possibly happen to your life. And again, we're coming at this from a testifying perspective. You know, I'm so thankful to be married to Christian and have our girls and have another baby on the way,
Starting point is 01:04:59 walking in a redemption part of the story. But I'm so thankful God redeemed me first. And I know God has that for you. The minute you trust Him, the minute you give your life to Him and surrender it to Him, and so trust Him with your future and know that you have a lot of sisters and friends out there who have walked through it, who have overcome it, and who God's gotten through it,
Starting point is 01:05:18 and He can do that for you. So thank you all so much for just sharing your story. I know it's so vulnerable. It's so hard to come on here and talk about the hard things in life, but man, it's so worth it. And the reality is we're all going through life together. We're all experiencing such similar things
Starting point is 01:05:34 and so much of your wisdom. Man, bless me so much. I know bless other people. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks for watching!

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.