The agonising legacy of a ‘bubble marriage’ for women breaking free

I proposed before I kissed my wife, which was probably just as well: she was dating someone else at the time. Our own connection was immense, seemingly unshakeable and, ultimately, isolating.

We had a “bubble relationship”. Just us, not so much against the world, but in a marriage where we moved as one, happy together, not needing anyone else. It worked like a dream, until it didn’t. Relying on just each other is all well and good until the cracks begin to show.

The first sign was in times of conflict. When we argued, I would isolate myself even more. Not easily trusting men, and never building friendships with them, left me alone at exactly the moments I could have had support. She had her girlfriends a call away. I had her. I think that’s why I was always the one who apologised first and defused the tension – I needed my support back, and she was all of it.