Sometimes you have to laugh so that you don't cry.
We joke about a dark period of abuse in our marriage.
He had to go to court mandated counseling and I refused to have my husband in the home until it was completed.
Now when we play fight or joke about beating each other up, I just say "I'm calling Nexus!!" Nexus is the name of the counseling service.

He once pretended to call the cops because I shook my fist at him comically. "Hello Officer? My wife is
brandishing her fist at me and I am scared. Please come and take her to jail."


We have been through hell and now we live in a strange heaven, where life is never perfect yet it is still bathed in the glow of love and partnership.
How wonderful that Hope1964's husband is taking responsibility and attending 12 step meetings. It is much easier to repair a broken marriage, if the offending partner is willing to take serious steps in order to change.