I lived for his phone calls. Joe and I were childhood sweethearts. Joe was gorgeous and seemed really sweet. Joe treated me like a princess and was always spoiling me with fancy meals and thoughtful gifts. Within a few weeks of us being together, he told me that he loved me. It was fast - but it felt completely right. When we left school, Joe was accepted into the US Army to train as a mechanic.
It was tough, meaning Joe would be away on tour for months on end, but I wasn't worried - ours was more than a teen romance.
Then, in December , Joe was given some news that turned my world upside down. I stared at him open-mouthed. Although I knew his job would put a little distance between us, I was absolutely distraught that he was going to be so far away. I want you to be my wife. Joe was leaving in a matter of weeks. Just like that, we were getting married. We called our family and close friends, who helped us organise a wedding in record-breaking time. I was just 17 when we got hitched in the local registry office, weeks before Joe left for his first tour of duty.
It might not have been how we imagined our lives as newlyweds, but we were beaming throughout the whole ceremony. It was so shocking, I could hardly take it in. Work is difficult at the moment. I knew Joe worked hard, but I had a sinking feeling he was hiding something. After that conversation, I checked our joint back account, and saw something which made my heart stop. I decided to Google the names of the businesses, but nothing could have prepared me for what I found.
Confused and furious, I phoned Joe to confront him. To my surprise, he picked up straight away. I couldn't help but lose control. How could you, Joe? Joe just stayed silent as I screamed at him. Eventually, I calmed down, and my anger subsided to quiet sobs. His tour of duty was nothing more than a call of booty. I knew our marriage was over there and then. Since splitting from Joe, I've moved to the UK - where I met my current partner - and we now have a child together. Last week, one woman revealed why she'd never date a Brit - claiming they're short, drink and smoke too much and have terrible teeth.
