HUFF POST – Last year, I wrote and published an essay entitled, “My Husband And His Family Voted For Trump, So I’m Canceling Thanksgiving And Christmas,” on HuffPost Personal. It immediately went viral.
I’ve never had an essay receive that much attention, with over a million views in just a few hours. I stood up straighter. I felt lighter.
My step had a bounce, and I felt inspired to keep moving and do even more. This is what writers dream of — creating something that touches a large audience and makes them feel less alone, especially in the wake of what felt like such a tragedy.
“What are you saying? You’re going to divorce me?”
Though my husband and I share very different political views, he was initially happy for me. What spouse wouldn’t celebrate their partner’s success?
He read through the article’s comments and some of the emails that landed in my inbox, and we laughed at the ridiculous things people were sending me.
“You need to divorce her and marry me. She doesn’t deserve a good man like you,” one person commented.
“You violated my family. I don’t know how we move on from this.”
However, there were also sinister — even threatening — messages.
“When the internment camps are built, you will be the first inmate,” someone else wrote.
My husband was furious about those responses and wanted to respond. I recommended that he not engage. What was the point?
As the day continued, we moved on with our usual routines. However, within 24 hours, things begin to change.
When my husband’s family discovered the article, they were concerned. They were worried about our marriage, jobs, and safety. They were also surprised that I spoke out so publicly about something many people consider so private …
