Our Story of our Journey from Striving to Healing

Who We Were:

For many years, we lived as what we thought were “perfect Christians.” We followed all the rules, gave tirelessly, and poured ourselves into serving others through our church. On the surface, we seemed to have it all—a strong marriage, faith-driven lives, and a shared commitment to our church and community.

But beneath that image of perfection, cracks were forming. After 16 years of marriage, our world was shaken by a painful crisis: Keith had an emotional affair with a co-worker. The devastation was immediate and overwhelming. It left us questioning everything we believed—about each other, about God, and about ourselves and the church.

April’s Journey to Self-Discovery:

For me, the pain of betrayal was not just about the affair—it forced me to confront how I had been living my life. I realized I had been striving for love and validation through performance: being a “good Christian,” a loving wife, a dedicated mother. But I didn’t truly know myself.

I began the hard but necessary work of self-discovery, acknowledging my buried pain, anger, and fear. I realized that my worth wasn’t tied to what I did for others but to who I was as completely perfect with Love already in my heart. Slowly, I learned to embrace my true self and started living from a place of love and authenticity rather than striving for love and attention.

Keith’s Awakening:

My journey started with owning the choices I had made—both the affair and my struggles with hidden pain, including issues like pornography. I had always seen myself as a strong, capable leader, but I realized that my “strength” had been a shield to protect me from confronting the discomfort I felt inside.

The turning point came through friends and mentors who challenged me to look deeper. When my friends, Dave and Kris Toyne said, “If you’ve got the fruit, then you’ve got the root,” it clicked. I began uncovering the hidden roots of my pain and taking responsibility for the ways it had impacted my life and relationships.

Where We Are Now:

Today, our lives look nothing like they once did—and for that, we are profoundly grateful. Our marriage is stronger, rooted in honesty, vulnerability, and mutual respect. We’ve learned to communicate our needs and set healthy boundaries, not just with each other but in every aspect of our lives.

We now embrace the beauty of being fully known—not perfect, but real. Through our journey, we’ve discovered the healing power of authenticity, forgiveness, and self-love.

 Why We Share Our Story:

We believe healing is possible for anyone willing to face their pain, uncover their truth, and embrace their journey of self-discovery. Our hope is to walk alongside others as they move from striving to peace and healing, just as we have.

With love and openness,

Keith and April