At this point, I'm not convinced in the possibility of my own second chance, so these stories are incredibly inspiring.  I'm loving reading them, and maybe hoping they'll rub off by proxy?

My (now) husband and I did a long distance relationship for several years. It was incredibly hard and we didn't know exactly when the distance part would end. At one point we broke up and I dated someone local for about two weeks, but realized it was my husband I wanted all along. Luckily he gave me the second/last chance.... 3 years later we're happily married and so glad we gave it one last go!

I stood my boyfriend up on our first date. I realized at the end of the night that I made a terrible mistake and sent him and email begging for him to talk to me again.  He did and we are still together 3 years later. We just purchased our first house!

This isn't my second chance story, but it's one that I kinda cling to.  My aunt and uncle were set up on a blind date when they were in their early 20's.  They went on one date, and totally hated each other.  It was mutual, there wasn't a second date. 

A couple years later, they were set up on yet another blind date, by someone totally different.  This time they fell madly in love, and have been married for something like 40 years.  They are the most perfect couple.  When you see them together it's impossible to imagine them with anyone else. 

I met E last year when he was dating one of my best friends.  Actually, he and I knew each other in high school, but hung around different crowds.

E and my friend dated for 4 months and all of us LOVED him...he was amazing to her in every way.  Unfortunately, she left him (and her friends) to go back to her abusive ex-husband.

When she blew all of us off, E continued to hang around and he and I have become best friends.  After a 2 year relationship with my own nightmare, I never thought I'd be able to trust another man, and I certainly never thought I'd fall in love again.

But, I am in love with E.  He doesn't know it, we continue being best friends, we talk for at least an hour every day, we spend the night at each other's houses, we email incessantly, we flirt.  We've even shared a few alcohol-fueled kisses from time to time.  But in sober moments we do not admit that there are feelings there.

Everyone tells us we're meant for each other.  Not a day goes by that one of our friends doesn't tell us that we're crazy for not just getting together already.

Maybe someday.

I had a hard time growing up. Not that I was particularly awkward, I just didn't fit in very well and so by the time I started graduate school (YES, GRADUATE SCHOOL) at the age of 25, I had never been in love.

When I met Kurt several months after beginning my English program, I was done. I knew that I had met someone special, and all of the doubt and insecurity and general fear that bound me  tightly slipped off, disappearing in a swift, decisive beat. He felt the same way, and so we spent our days laughing, learning about one another and imagining a future together.

The morning I got the call, I was fast asleep. He had worked late, and so when I reached over to answer the phone my eyes were still closed when his dad said "Michelle, I am sorry. I've got some bad news. Kurt was killed this morning."

A drunk driver had hit him as he walked home, leaving him in the road for a kind-hearted nurse to find and call an ambulance. By then, he was dead.

For a lot of years after this accident, my heart sealed itself shut. I could talk about love; I could encourage others to be in love; I could root for my young students, some of whom were just stumbling unto the true feeling. But I couldn't imagine feeling that way again myself, couldn't imagine not feeling I was betraying Kurt if I ever did love again.

But then, five years later, an amazing man helped me really understand what the Universe had been shouting at me for quite some time: "You didn't die, and so you shouldn't continue acting like you did." He allowed me to fumble my words, both grieve and relish falling in love again, and find a way to honor the love in the past without diminishing the love in the present.

That was five years ago, and now, looking back over the time I've spent with my husband, I understand what second chances are all about. They are about forgiving yourself, finding courage and looking life straight in the face and saying "I'm Here."

After 20 years at the same job, I took a big leap and went back to school when I was 40 to study journalism. I felt like a bit of a dork, being the oldest, most insanely enthusiastic person in all of my classes. The 19-year-olds were always rolling their eyes and this woman who always had her hand up, who wanted to DISCUSS everything and who always wanted to do ALL the extra credit.

It was a little awkward when I had to report to editors on the school newspaper who were half my age. They naturally wanted to defer to someone who was as old as their parents, but I would not let them. I went to work at 42 as an intern at a newspaper, along with other interns who were in their early 20s. 

It was humbling and exciting all at the same time. I worked harder than I ever had before. I got to be bad at something. I got to make rookie mistakes and have my hands slapped. I would lay awake nights, worrying if I had gotten all my facts straight. But the buzz of energy I got from doing it made me feel like a new person.

I made it through school with straight As and got a good writing job (not in journalism). I get a lot of satisfaction from getting paid to write and edit. I make 3x as much as I ever did in my old job. It was a big risk, but the rewards were worth it. I'm grateful that I got a second chance.

I am currently trying to sort things out with the man that I hope to marry. I am not sure why but we both keep screwing it up. Both of us want it to work, he is wonderful and he loves me but we each have our little issues we need to get through. We lived together, we moved apart, I bought a house, we gave it another shot. I want to get it right, he wants to get it right. Chances are innumerable if you both want it to work.

I hope he wants it to work too K. I really love you two together.

My first marriage was-  a learning experience that gave me 4 amazing girls.  This time around I got not only a wonderful husband but a family that accepts and loves every one of us simply for who we are.

My husband took me back after I cheated on him, ten years later we have two wonderfyl children and a happy life.

I walked into the room and there was my beloved,handsome cat lying down and crying on the rug. His back legs were paralyzed, from a blood clot the vet said and the prognosis was very poor. I was told they would, with my agreement, give him some meds and observe him overnight but not to get my hopes up. I was so thrilled to visit him the next day and actually watch him wobble a short distance down the hall! The vet said he'd never seen a cat survive this kind of event much less walk so shortly thereafter. My cat had a longing for life and he taught me so much over the next year about treasuring that longing as a way to buffer the impending knowledge of loss. I had been given a special gift of more time and learned about listening to the inner voice that tells you when enough is enough, when to hold on and when to let go. When the time came both he and I were ready. Although I was devastated I knew that we had been fortunate to have that extra year together. Starrlife

This is a topic that really applies to my life!  I don't want to post too many details wide open on the Internet however my second chance story relates to a time in my life when I was younger and not quite so wise!  I made a lot of mistakes during my latter teen years that lead to a lot of hard times for me.  I am so thankful today that I am one of the rare cases where I learned from these in order to grow and become better!  I am now where I never thought I would be! :)

When I left on vacation I could feel something great coming, it did.

http://thinkaboutittomorrow.wordpress.com/2008/08/23/the-fireman/

I wasn't kidding when I say this guy changed my life.  It isn't him, it's what he represents in my life.  He opened up this whole new wonderful world to me by proving that my divorce wasn't the end.  He opened the door on my second chance at life and he will never know what he meant to me.

NICHOLAS NIEVES

ITS OK PICTURE

Nine yrs ago at age 43,being heathly an having a 14 yr old daughter an a 24 yr old son in college,I had   a brain anuersym,that burst,I was a Nurse that worked full time at a Drs Office,was President of my daughters school PTO,an had severl hobbys that I enjoyed,my daughter was cheerleader in 8th grade an we were active in Church an school,needless to say I was very busy,I was married at that time for  27 yrs.......Three yrs later,I am alive but brain damaged,cannot work anymore,divoreced,my husband cannot stand the change in me after 30 yrs of marriage,on so many medications that its really sad,im so depressed that I can hardly function,my entire life has changed!Gained weight,lost friends,dont know why God spared my life?WHY?I used to be a good mother an a Wonderful Nurse,had so many awards for that,loved being independent an making my own money,my husband had been abusive in our marriage,but knew that any blows to me would kill me, they Doctor instructed me to try the internet to stimutate my brain,so I wouldnt lose any more functions,I found friends on there,some nuts too,but many friends,went to a chat meet that wasnt too far away,an met the man I eventually married 2 yrs later! an moved 1200 miles to start a new life,my kids were grown an I needed to find myself again,ive been happily mairried for 5 yrs now to a wonderful man who loves me the way I am!Sickness an all,an I have 3 grown step children who I adore,an we now have combined 4 grandchildren an anohter on the way,we love so much,an I found that I am still a good mother,we started keeping foster children an we adopted our 16 yr old foster daughter we had for 2 yrs an we love her an she loves us so I fould out why God left me here,to find happiness again an to make adifference in a childs life who needed a home an NEEDED ME!

My husband and I first met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend.  We had an enjoyable time but low expections of any romantic involvement.  The next day my feelings were confirmed when my date from the night before didn't recognize me as we passed each other in the college cafeteria. 

Unbeknownst to me my date had enjoyed himself and even sent me a note to see if I had an interest in going on a second date...the note was lost in the campus mail and never reached me.  My date assumed that no response meant that I wasn't interested.  Thankfully our mutual friend was persistant.  She nagged us both until finally my date wrote a second draft of his note and hand delivered it to my dormitary.  I said yes to a second date and we have been happily married for eleven years now.

I was wondering if the Nicholas Sparks wished he had a second chance to name the novel/film now that he has to hear all of the stumbling mispronounciations. 

I love reading all of the bloggers' stories!

www.debontherocks.com

blog

www.3smartgirlz.com

consulting

The summer of 2005 I had a stroke.  I was a wife, mom to 3 small kids and I was unable to coordinate my brain to let me dress myself or to form sentences in time to be an active participant in conversations.  After months of recovery and therapy, life took on the possibility of returning to normal.  Our second chance.

But it would never be the normal it was before my brush with death. It was a new normal, a normal full of appreciation of things often taken for granted.  It was a normal where the things that had been so important and distracting took a back seat to cuddling on the couch, with my little one in my arms, reading a book while an ice cream cone melted down her arm and onto my lap.  It was a new wonderful, bright and shiny normal where the man who'd been my husband for 7 years changed before my eyes to become this man of strength and love and support and I fell in love with him all over again.  

Our second chance recaptured the essence of  what drew us together.  We shared laughs that had been hidden behind duty, we expressed love every day in as many ways as possible. With a passion borne of the fear of separation, we felt closer, bonded, eternal in a way we'd never before. 

Anissa Mayhew

www.hope4peyton.org 

www.mayhewreview.com

 I am divorced (7+) years with five children. Both of my parents have passed away over the past few years. It's been a hard road alone but I have awesome children--that's all that matters.

Four years ago I met an incredibly great guy. He was going through a divorce, I was still reeling from being left to raise five children alone...and with no child support because he "Didn't feel like it".  It was a trying time for both of us so it just didn't work. 

We stayed in touch once or twice a year with a pleasant email "hello, how are your children?". Last month, he sent one of those pleasant emails and I was bolder than I have ever been. I wrote back:

"Hi. Nice to hear from you. I've been through two really complicated knee surgeries over the past year after an accident. I'm not running around in high heels right now...or maybe never. If you're not married or having sex with anyone, would you care to meet for a casual drink one night?"

Two days later we met for "just a drink".  Eight hours later we ended a fabulous date. A month later, I just adore this man who popped back into my life and there's a kick in my step...even with a knee brace. He is spectacular...and I do believe this is my second chance.

Cheryl

http://dailyblonde.blogspot.com

Health issue! Survivor! Second chance at LIFE!!!

I almost lost my sight last year due to an accident, but I was blessed and healed. It was a tough recovery and very painful, but the experience taught me never to take for granted the gifts that we have. 

I had a stroke at the age of 36, I wasn't expected to do so well, but 3 years later, I'm almost fully recovered.

My husband and I had an awful beginning to our marriage.  We had no clue how to function as a married couple and the emotional closeness we one time shared turned into a vast chasm.  Eventually, my husband found another woman and moved out.  We filed for divorce and I began to move on, still holding onto hope that we may somehow fix what was wrong.  We began to date each other again, and after a few weeks he left his "girlfriend" and we decided to get counseling.  Through counseling we both realized the mistakes we were making in our relationship and we began to correct those mistakes.  As our relationship improved we then were able to focus on working through the affair itself.  On my end, once I realized how my husband was feeling prior to the affair, I understood how it happened and that I was responsible for helping create those feelings in him.  Do not get me wrong, I do not accept responsibility for him cheating, just in sharing the responsibility for creating the environment that he felt he needed to cheat.  We were able to not only salvage our marriage, but to turn it completely around.  We never did finalize our divorce and now 5 years later we have 2 more children and are happier than ever before.  We no longer take each other for granted and we learned how to communicate effectively.  We know what makes each other tick and rather than push those buttons like before, we go out of our way to make sure those things don't happen.  The irony of the whole situation is that I trust my husband more now than before.

 Danielle

http://juanshappywife.blogspot.com

http://homeschoolunitstudies.blogspot.com

Some of these stories are truly incredible.  Wow.

30 years ago I thought I had the world by the tail.  I was going to finish getting my degree in psychology, open a practice and help people with their problems.  Little did I know the problems that would befall me.  20 years ago I decided that in 20 years I wanted to have a career I enjoyed a healthy happy child and a man in my life that would treat me like a queen.  20 years ago I was 28 years old, married to an abusive husband with a 5 year old daughter.  20 years ago I would have never believed I would have been serving 5 years probation after a federal conviction. 

Wait let me explain that one.  I didn’t kill the abusive ex-husband, oh I wanted to but I didn’t.  After I divorced my husband I went home to my hometown.  I made a new life for me and my daughter.  Then an old high school boyfriend contacted me and wanted to start up where we left off.  He told me all the things I wanted and thought I needed to hear.  How much he loved me, how much he had missed me and how he wanted me in his life forever.  There was one big problem, he was married.  I didn’t have a lot of self esteem after the end of my marriage and it wasn’t much better at this time of my life.  I entered into a relationship with him, but that wasn’t all, I also went to work for him.  This relationship was self-destructive and abusive.  He was manipulating, verbally, sexually and mentally abusive. He was also not an honest business man and bullied his way into having me be his front person.   His marriage eventually ended and we continued our relationship and began living together.  He had two children from his marriage of which he shared custody.  For eight years we lived as a family.  When my daughter turned about fifteen his relationship with her began to change.  He would go from being her best friend to a tyrannical monster within minutes.  Our lives became a constant struggle to keep him happy.  It was as if we were walking on eggshells all of the time. 

His business was not doing well he bullied me into setting up a business in my name then he took a bankruptcy and immediately started using my name and credit as his own.  He had me in a large amount of debt. I felt I was trapped and had no option but to stay and make it all work. To make a long story short, he lied to a federal officer and because I worked for him and we lived together I was implicated also.

 I wish I could tell you this is where it ended, but it’s not.  During the time I learned of his and my federal charges I also found out that he had been sexually assaulting my daughter who was now 21.  He began when she was a teenager.  When we took the information to the D.A. they told me there was nothing they could do, there just wasn’t enough proof.

The judge sentenced me in May of 2006 and then in August 2006 my mother had developed lung cancer and her condition worsened, her cancer came back.    They postponed me going to the correctional facility and I was given the gift of spending some time with my mother.  She passed away in December 2006.   I went into the correctional facility in March 2007.  I lived for three months with no sleep, 3 roommates who had just come out of the federal system and worked 70 hours a week. I kept my normal schedule of work from four o’clock in the morning until six o’clock at night to keep things running smoothly at my brother-in-laws business.

During this time I met a wonderful man.  He was loving, kind, hard working, gentle, giving and patient.  I fell in love with him despite myself.  You see I have what is called by my daddy “a bad picker”.  I always pick the wrong men.  My picker is broke, it is kaput, and it just doesn’t work.  Luckily I didn’t pick him, he picked me.  He pursued me, he romanced me and he married me despite all my troubles and problems.

All of things brought me to where I am today.  More importantly all these things brought me to my husband, the TRUE love of my life. I am happy, in love and have a better understanding of whom and what I am.  I love my life today and would not trade it.  It could have been easier getting to where I am but I’m not sure it would have been near as interesting.

 http://accidentalhousewife.spaces.live.com/

You know, it was like a fairy tale the first time around. I thought I was so happy - he was so trusting, so loving, and so understanding... I gave him my heart and never looked back. I missed the subtle little signs... after a few years, I didn't notice him measuring our meal portions. I didn't see the tables he kept of calories vs. exercise... I didn't noticed how obsessed he was on image. He was so loving and wonderful - I was sure he was the perfect guy! He never had late nights with the guys and always paid bills on time... My girl friends and guy friends adored him! When he mentioned he'd found THE best plastic surgeon in NJ who could plump up my 30 year old breasts, I didn't think for a second - this guy truly loved me. So for him, I went under the knife. And then the meal portions lessened. And let me tell you - I had very little body fat as it was (it's not like he needed to save my life). I was when I found myself sneaking to the local CVS to get a light low-cal fake chocolate bar for a sweet treat that I realized there might be something wrong here! When he left, five years after we met, after getting engaged and planning the picture-perfect wedding in Hawaii... well, I was devastated. He told me I couldn't survive without him, and you know what? I beleived him! But here I am - 4 years later - and with a wonderful man. One who loves me for who I am. One who lifts me up - one who cooks (he cooks!!!!) and always offers me a second portion. One who encourages me to do what makes me happy. ~ One who loves me, with my little-extra-meat on my bones... Love truly is better the second time around. You know not to lose yourself, but to give yourself, and to BE YOURSELF. Not some image someone else wants... thanks for reading!!!   : )