6 insane, life-changing things only love could make you do
LOVE is fickle, and it is no secret that it makes us do crazy things, playing us like marionettes, twisting and bending us at its will. And while many of us can exercise some control, others are powerless under its spell — serving a cruel master over and over again.
What has been your experience with this emotion? Looking back, what are some of the crazy stunts you pulled in the name of love, that you now look back on and wince?
All Woman asked people for their unique experiences, and they share them below.
Viveen, 46, business owner:
I grew locks, gave up certain foods I used to eat, my love for the church, and God. We spent most of our time in the hills, a place I never imagined myself being as a city girl and all. I allowed him to take away everything from me that connected me to the world, including my family — he said it was necessary for our love to grow. I was brainwashed and I enjoyed it because I loved his dominance over me — he made me yearn for it. Had it not been for my parents I am sure I would have still been there today. They rescued me after about four years of searching for me, cleaned me up, and helped me to regain my identity.
Samantha, 28, social worker:
When I was just 15, my boyfriend at the time wanted to start a family. Of course I wasn’t ready, but he made it seem like it was the only way I could really prove my love, so I did it. I allowed him to impregnate me and yes, I also thought it would give me ties to the man forever. We are no longer together.
Jerome, 27, IT technician:
My parents gave me my tuition, which was in excess of $300,000. My girlfriend at the time wanted to go on the work and study programme and she had to pay US$2,000, plus she needed pocket money. Her friend told her she could earn sometimes $1,500 in a week if she did overtime every day. She promised to send back the money within a month. Let’s just say that apart from the call that she arrived safely and a few promises to repay, I didn’t hear a peep out of her. About two years later I went on Facebook to see her living quite the life.
Dionne, 34, consultant:
I wasn’t ready for sex but because the man was getting antsy, it was obvious that if I didn’t have sex with him he was going to leave. All in all, I traded my virginity for access to this man. Seven months later he told me he was cheating and intended to stay with the girl he was cheating with.
Sean, 39, contractor:
I would steal my mother’s money all the time to buy this girl nice gifts. She said she was a Christian so we couldn’t do more than a peck on the cheek thing. After some months a video surfaced with her doing sexually explicit things with a guy and it was obvious she was no virgin. Somehow she convinced me that he had forced her to, and I believed her even though she was grinning and obviously happy on tape. I continued to spend my money on this girl, and it was not until my mom discovered my stealing and I could no longer afford her that I was free of this girl — she just discarded me.
Dennis, 43, police officer:
I was about 21 and madly in love with an older woman who was married to a “big man” in the army. I wasn’t comfortable, but she said that she knew her man’s schedule. I ended up sleeping there two to three times per week. After about two months of doing it some neighbours apparently told the man his woman was taking him for a fool and he came home at a time when he wouldn’t usually. That day I got some heavy duty licks. I did man up and throw some punches, but nothing compared to what this man dished out to me. Now, if a woman ever mentions me coming to her yard, I’d probably dump her.
