Thousands of people have been affected drastically by the deplorable economy; however, the Tavares family is celebrating because it saved their marriage.
Celsy Tavares and Jesus Tavares got married on December 7, 2002 and after a couple of years, they had their first child. The couple started experiencing constant problems and after a year, they decided it was enough and initiated the divorce process in October.
“The decision we made was tough but I felt it was the right thing to do at the moment because I did not want my daughter, Ashlee, witnessing the unstoppable fights,” Celsy Tavares said. “The problems started after I caught him (cheating) and our lives just became a living hell.”
The 25 year old said that the financial problems they were facing were not helping. She was working as a waitress and lost her job in November when the restaurant was shut down. The couple said they had credit card debts, they were behind on house payments and they had recently bought a truck they had to return - after they could not keep up with the expenses.
“We hardly had the money to feed our child so we were forced to stop the divorce process because we could not continue paying the lawyer,” Celsy Tavares said. “My husband wanted to reconcile but I just felt I could not forgive him.”
Tavares said it was almost impossible to even get an interview for a job so she remained living at home with her husband under certain rules and boundaries. They agreed to have as less encounters as possible. The only thing they would be allowed to talk about was their daughter.
“We even went as far as agreeing to date other people without arguing but fortunately that never happened,” Jesus Tavares said. “The only obligations she had were cooking, cleaning and taking care of our daughter until I came home.”
The family said they got used to living in this odd manner and they had agreed to these rules for as long as she remained unemployed - since she could not afford an apartment. Jesus Tavares said he was never happy with the way things were going between his wife and him. He insisted on getting his normal family back and he fought to achieve his goal.
“It hurt him to be living in the same house in separate beds without a word from me,” Celsy Tavares said. “He suddenly began changing and I felt as if I were living with someone else.”
Celsy Tavares said he slowly began talking to her again breaking the rules. He would help her out with everything, something he did not do before, and became the person she always wanted. They were closer and closer every day and without realizing it they were back together in a few days.
“I am aware I did unforgivable things to her but what we went through made me realize how lucky I am to have a family and it made me appreciate them more,” Jesus Tavares said. “The economy did us a favor because I know she would have probably left and not given me a chance if she had the money.”
Celsy Tavares said she was recently employed and they are financially doing better. Her husband is also working and Ashlee is now five very happy to have her family back to normal.
“I have always believed that things happen for a reason and now I am more than sure about this,” Celsy Tavares said. “I would say to others facing similar situations to have patience, a lot of hope, and to never give up love will take care of the rest, no regrets.”