Wrong Time or Unhealed Trauma? Our Second Chance Love Story
About This Episode
Content note: This episode contains honest discussion of domestic violence, drug use, toxic relationships, mental health, and trauma. Please listen with care.
Camisha sits down with her wife, Riley Blackburn, to share their complete love story from the very beginning. It is not pretty. It is not linear. But it is one of the most powerful testaments to what individual healing can make possible when two people are finally ready to show up for each other the right way.
In this episode, we cover:
How Camisha and Riley met at a dive bar in Columbus in August of 2018, and what their first impressions were of each other
What their first relationship actually looked like, the drugs, the parties, the dishonesty, the physical violence, and the chaos that two deeply unhealed people create when they come together
Why breaking up in early 2019 was necessary, even though neither of them truly wanted to
The five years apart and what each of them did individually to heal, including therapy, sobriety, cutting off toxic friendships, career changes, and learning to be okay alone
The psychic story from 2021 that told Riley Camisha was her twin flame before they even reconnected
How Camisha reached out in late 2023, and what happened when Riley heard a completely different woman on the other end of the phone
The Thanksgiving visit to Columbus that changed everything
The communication slip up early in their reconnection that proved how much Camisha had grown
What makes their marriage work today, including their dynamic, their communication boundaries, their blue and pink collar roles, and why they never let each other go to bed upset
Why they say I apologize instead of I am sorry, and what the difference really means
The wooden fence and nails analogy for understanding how hurtful words leave permanent holes
The To Be Better podcast that helped shape the foundation of their relationship
Advice for anyone currently single, healing from a breakup, or considering a second chance with someone from their past
Why you should want your partner rather than need them and how that distinction changes everything
Key Takeaways
You do not need your partner. You choose them. Every single day. That choice is the foundation of a healthy relationship.
An apology without accountability and changed behavior is not an apology. Take ownership. Explain why. Show the work.
Are you okay alone? Can you sit in your own silence? If not, you are not ready to bring someone else into your healing.
Never let your partner go to bed upset. No matter how tired you are. No matter how late it is.
Resources Mentioned
The 2 Be Better Podcast, a podcast on relationships, communication, and building a healthy partnership. Highly recommended by both Camisha and Riley.
IIN, Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Use code CAMISHABLACKBURNXIIN for 25% off all classes.
Connect with Camisha
If this episode resonated with you and you are ready to start healing your relationships from the inside out, I would love to connect. Book your free health history session at Blackburn Wellness and let us talk about where you are and where you want to be.
If you loved having Riley on the show let Camisha know by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps the show reach more people who need to hear that healing is possible and second chances are real.