We met in a pub. John* was funny, handsome, and there was a clear spark between us. We soon became an item.
At first being with him was electrifying. Then I began to see another side. When he drank, John became agitated and aggressive.
Once, he punched me and dragged me through a park before throwing me into a pond. My whole body was black and blue.
‘What have you done to me?’ I yelled.
We split up, but two weeks later we bumped into each other again and, despite everything, I missed him.
‘It’s good to see you,’ I said.
I invited him to my flat for a few drinks with friends and he was cheerful and laid-back, just like he’d been when we first met.
Then my friends left and we were alone.
‘Make a sandwich,’ he growled.
I decided not to let him control me, so I refused.
But suddenly, he leapt up and dragged me to the floor, savagely pummelling my face and body.
Terrified, I tried to fight him off, but he chased me around the flat, punching, kicking and biting me. Then he threw me to the ground and put his hands tight around my throat…
As I lay there, I suddenly fell into a vision. Everything around me melted away.
I felt totally at peace.
Then, a shining figure appeared over me. It looked like an angel.
I suddenly felt completely safe. It was as if the angel was telling me I couldn’t die yet. I had to go back and use my life to bring light to others.
I woke up to John giving me the kiss of life.
Then horrified friends, who lived in the flat above and must have heard the attack, kicked the door down.
‘Get out!’ we’ve called the police,’ one screamed at John.
I was rushed to hospital.
My jaw, eye sockets and cheekbones were broken. My shoulders were bruised and sore, and I was missing clumps of hair.
Nurses didn’t let me see my face for three days and, when I finally saw it, I broke down.
I couldn’t believe what John had done to me.
But I also never forgot the vision of my angel. I realised I’d been given a second chance and I wanted to use the rest of my life to help others. I just didn’t know how.
John pleaded guilty to Grievous Bodily Harm and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
Shortly after, my mum suggested I visited her in New Zealand.
I knew that I had to get away from the past and change my life completely. Relishing a fresh start, I decided to move to New Zealand permanently.
Once I was there, I realised that I had to truly leave my old life behind. I’d had a spiritual awakening that told me I was worthy of having a good life.
I quit drinking, began to appreciate every day as a gift and decided to let my soul guide me into my new life.
Months later, I was stunned by a man at a party. I could only see him from behind, but he had a bright, golden aura about him.
Though I couldn’t explain it, I suddenly knew that he was the man I was going to marry, as my angel was clearly guiding me towards him.
His name was Wayne and, after we got talking, he asked me out.
We were inseparable from then on and got married after five years together.
Two years later, our son Landon arrived.
Life was bliss, but I still needed to find what my soul needed. A way to help others.
I often found myself visualising a golden butterfly in my head, but I couldn’t work out what it was.
Is the universe trying to tell me something? I thought.
When Landon was two, I finally found it.
I began to use my experience to help other women heal from their traumas and find their inner magic.
I offered angelic Reiki healing, as well as courses on self-healing, journalling and vision boards.
As I finally understood the vision’s meaning, I called my business The Golden Butterfly.
Over the last two years, The Golden Butterfly has grown into a successful centre for healing and positivity.
I love nothing more than helping others to listen to their soul’s voice and help them reclaim their sparkle.
Now, I’ve been 10 years sober, and both my family and my business are thriving.
I’ve come a long way and I’ll always be grateful for finding my magic. I owe it all to the vision of my angel.
