Steve and I had always seen marriage as a love-and-support arrangement. Over the course of 16 years, we were blessed with five beautiful girls. However, Steve believed our family lacked a son, and this fixation overshadowed our enjoyment. His conventional worldview and continual absence stressed our marriage, turning it into a battleground of unfulfilled promises.

One night, a chat about trying for a son turned into a nasty argument. Steve’s nasty words devastated me. The following day, our 12-year-old daughter, Lisa, went missing. A ransom note demanded payment for her release, leaving us scared and desperate. The ordeal helped Steve understand how insignificant his passion was in comparison to losing a daughter.

Steve’s guilt became clear after we securely collected Lisa. The incident served as a wake-up call, motivating us to seek treatment and heal our relationship. Steve began valuing our daughters and spending more time with us. We discovered that the actual value of family is found in love, respect, and support. This traumatic experience ultimately drew us closer together, resulting in a stronger, more resilient family.