Betrayal stories may be as old as time, but infidelity is an absolute dealbreaker for me. Truth be told, I’ve never dated anyone that I couldn’t see myself married to, and this goes back to my first date. I didn't understand the appeal of having a boyfriend just to have one. It seemed like a colossal waste of my time, and as you’ve probably guessed, I didn’t have many boyfriends.
During my sophomore year in college, I fell in love for the first time, and he loved me back. While he seemed perfect in every way, there was just one problem: He cheated on me with my childhood best friend.
The shock of betrayal is like a sudden storm in a clear sky. I trusted them both unconditionally, and they were the two people closest to me. Who are you supposed to turn to when it’s the people who are supposed to be there for you who did it?
It’s heartbreaking to grow up and realize that betrayal doesn't always come from the enemy. When someone cheats on you, your world turns upside down. It puts you through emotional hell, recalling all the mistakes you might have made and questioning your worth. It leaves you doubting yourself and wondering what you did wrong. But when he cheats on you with your best friend, that's a whole new level of betrayal.
But as much as I loved him, I loved her more. This shift in perspective was more painful than the cheating because I questioned whether this person, whom I’d known my whole life, was ever really my friend. While the betrayal was one of my life’s most painful experiences, it was also a profound teacher.
The gaping hole left behind where my friend used to be was almost worse than death. The betrayal shattered and forever changed what I knew and loved. And as with any heartbreak, some pieces never fell back into place. I had to mourn the loss of my friend, and to this day, no one has ever been able to replace her.
Through that experience, I learned to guard my heart carefully. I embraced the truth that people’s actions reflect themselves, not me. Betrayal, as painful as it is, has the power to transform. It leaves the deepest, darkest marks, but I emerged more substantial from the storm because of it—perhaps because I swam through oceans of tears to get to the other side.
Gradually, I softened to the idea that I wasn’t sure my friend deliberately betrayed me. I realize now that sometimes, what we perceive at the moment may not be the truth. When you forgive someone for betraying you, it doesn’t mean what they did is okay. Instead, it means you’re releasing resentment and choosing personal peace. Healing invisible wounds takes time, but the peace it brings is invaluable.
When a friend consistently hurts your feelings, stabs you in the back, or when a friendship can’t sustain a life change, your best action is knowing that the friendship has to end. If boots are made for walking, sometimes, that’s precisely what you must do. Rejection and betrayal may have stolen the security of what I thought was forever, but timing is everything, and time doesn't stand still. There is a reason no one can constantly live in one moment forever; it’s unrealistic. Time goes on. We live, we grow, we learn, and we survive.
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Chowder
INGREDIENTS
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 celery stalks, diced, and leaves reserved
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups turkey or chicken broth (I like to substitute 3/4 cup for Swanson's Spicy Chicken Broth)
- 2 heaping tablespoons of Better Than Bouillion Roasted Chicken Base
- 2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes (cut into 3/4" pieces)
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
- Garnish with celery leaves and stuffing croutons*
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add 3 tablespoons butter to a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add onion and celery and cook on medium heat, stirring often, until onions are translucent and vegetables are slightly softened about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, thyme, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and pepper, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
- Add potatoes, Better than Bouillion base, broth, and scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to ensure any browned bits are removed. Add bay leaves and fresh thyme. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Add cooked turkey, cream, and the remaining tablespoon of butter. Heat through, and adjust seasonings to taste. Garnish with chopped celery leaves, and serve!
Stuffing Croutons: Preheat the oven to 375F. Crumble leftover stuffing and evenly place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet so the croutons crisp up properly. Drizzle with olive oil and cook for 15-20 minutes. Shake the pan once or twice during baking to help the croutons brown more evenly.
