behind the memoir
Behind every story lies another story — the quiet moments, the questions that lingered, the lessons that kept unfolding long after the pages were written.
Behind the Memoir is where I gather the reflections, memories, and unseen layers that shaped the journey of writing My Dyslexic Husband.
It’s a space for the questions I carried, the lessons I’m still learning, and the stories that didn’t fit neatly inside the book but still shaped its heart.
If you’re walking your own journey through love, learning, or letting go — I hope you find something here that reminds you you’re not alone.
The Things He Says
There are days I could strangle him. And there are days I could laugh until my sides hurt. Most days — it’s both, almost at once. It was a sunny afternoon, and we were walking — headed toward the North Shore Writers Festival — when he turned to me and said, completely straight-faced,“I’m not ADHD.”
The One with the Map
Not because I knew exactly where we were going, but because I could see the terrain—emotional terrain, especially—more clearly. I could anticipate the sharp turns, the places we’d likely get stuck, the signals that something was off long before we’d hit the wall.
Why I Write About Both Dyslexia and ADHD
At first, I thought the challenge was ADHD. My husband was officially diagnosed six years into our relationship, after years of me gently urging him to seek an assessment. But over time, I discovered it wasn’t just ADHD — it was also dyslexia, not just the reading or number issues I had vaguely associated with it, but something deeper that shaped our entire communication.
The Unseen Layers: What We Didn’t Know
When (my husband) and I first met, he was upfront about his dyslexia. He even encouraged me to look it up, which I did. I found articles that talked about the common challenges—reversing numbers, letters, and reading comprehension. It seemed straightforward, and I felt prepared.
From Me to We: How a Personal Journal Became a Universal Memoir
When I first started writing, it was just for me. A way to release the frustration and confusion I felt when it seemed like no one, not even my partner, understood what was happening. The journaling started as a lifeline in those moments of feeling alone.
The Advice That Saved Me — and Almost Broke Me
In the thick of confusion, I turned to the internet looking for clarity. I saved quotes, posts, and promises — words from strangers telling me what real love should feel like.