A woman says she is "happier than ever" after her husband cheated on her as they used it as an opportunity to improve their relationship.
After discovering her husband's affair, Charity Craig was devastated but eventually decided to work on herself and forgive her husband.
The couple from Orlando, Florida, US, separated for a year but eventually reconciled, with both partners doing the necessary work to heal themselves and their relationship.
According to Charity, the affair ended up being "the best thing that ever happened" to their marriage, as it forced them to confront their toxic patterns and work on themselves.
She now coaches other couples trying to overcome infidelity and encourages them to focus on their own healing and growth.
Charity and Matt met at church camp when they were 13 and 18, respectively and married when they were 21 and 25 in January 2004.
In 2012, Charity discovered that Matt was having an affair with someone he met through work.
She said she found lots of text messages from another woman while checking his phone: "It was friendly enough. He started acting suspicious and I started stalking his every move. It all exploded from there."
Matt said: "I was working over 60 hours a week in a high-stress position. 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."
Charity added: "It shattered everything but we were in a toxic unhealthy place. It was devastating and it shatters your entire world, I got kicked into black swirling waters and I didn't know which way was up.
"You can't drop a grenade in your home and come away undamaged, but it became a very personal journey and I went and did therapy and Matt did the work. Now we are happier than ever."
In response, Charity confronted Matt about the affair, and he decided to stick with his wife and kids despite having strong feelings for the other woman. He left his job and changed his number.
The couple separated for a year after the affair was discovered, and during the separation, they both worked on themselves through therapy to become the best versions of themselves.
Charity said she did "inner-work" and discovered she was battling with co-dependency and insecurity.
She said: "I didn't know how unhappy I was and I did therapy. 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."
Matt moved out to live with his friend during the separation, and the couple slowly came back together after working on themselves until they reconciled romantically in February 2013.
Matt did everything possible to regain Charity's trust and put in the work to heal their relationship, including going to therapy and reading self-help books.
In a blissful turn of events, Charity now coaches other married couples who are trying to overcome infidelity.
Matt explained how they got back together: "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. It's been amazing. It's helped our family. I have a full understanding of her emotions and can be open with her.
"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 added: "I have spent countless hours becoming a better version of myself. We were two empty vessels trying to suck the life out of each other. We are each responsible for our own happiness."
