It is always inspiring to read or hear someone’s testimony. Hearing from a couple who was able to face adversity and come out stronger because of it is even more inspiring. It is also encouraging and a reminder to those of us who are struggling in our own relationships that the trials that we dealing with in our lives at this moment are not forever. Although they might feel like the end, they aren’t. Our trials are storms but with love, faith, and commitment they can be weathered and they can become our testimony.

Former NBA star Keyon Dooling had a back-story and it wasn’t until it impacted his emotional and mental well being, landing him in the psychiatric hospital, that he shared it with his wife.

“After blocking out his pain for nearly 25 years, Keyon was ready to come clean. He told his wife he was sexually abused as a child, and that it started when he was just five years old. He had never properly dealt with the shame or the pain from what he endured and was now finally ready to heal. By holding tight to his faith and leaning on Natosha’s support, Keyon sought out the help he needed and fought to save his marriage and keep his beautiful family in tact. In September, he retired from the NBA and spoke out publicly, with Natosha by his side, about surviving child abuse.”

You might read those words and think “there’s no way my marriage would survive that,” but Keyon and Natosha are a testament to the fact that it is possible. To find out how these two are “making it work” visit Essence.

BMWK — Did your spouse ever reveal something difficult about their past? Did you choose to work through it?