Overcoming Abuse and Alcoholism in Marriage: Carrie’s Post-Divorce Triumph – Dallas Frisco Photographer – Me Ra Koh

This blog and the next are a real treat! We’re introducing you to two best friends, Carrie and Heidi, who have forged a friendship through the bond of painful pasts and the hope of brighter futures. They have both been forged in fortitude and now share their resilience and GLOW with everyone they encounter! We had the MOST fun with these two ‘unicorns’ and are so blessed by their friendship! They flew in from Cincinnati together and showed up as UNICORNS! LITERALLY! We’ve got photos AND video! LOL! Their friendship is an inspiration! But first, let’s start by celebrating Carrie’s Rising Phoenix!

Carrie’s journey is one of remarkable strength and resilience. She has faced some of life’s most difficult challenges, including surviving an abusive marriage to an alcoholic. Her story is not just about enduring hardship but about rising above it and reclaiming her life. It’s a testament to overcoming abuse and alcoholism in marriage, and the transformative power of choosing hope and healing.

THE RESILIENCE RISING WITHIN HER

Carrie recalls a conversation she had with her therapist after years of surviving an abusive marriage to an alcoholic which ended in a contentious divorce. The therapist said, “Children need one good-enough parent.” Carrie felt so broken after the long and painful end to her marriage. She got a full-time job as a Pediatrics Hospice Nurse, began her own healing journey, and BECAME the ‘good-enough parent’ so that her kids would be raised knowing a loving, peaceful home and not end up enduring all of the hurt that she experienced in her first marriage. She is a testament to the love and resilience that comes from being a mother.

For years, Carrie struggled to create a peaceful home for her children while navigating the trauma of her past. Her path to overcoming abuse and alcoholism in marriage wasn’t easy, but it was worth every step. Today, her children see her as a role model, a source of unconditional love, and a beacon of strength.

Now, with that painful chapter closed, she is writing her own future where she finds compassion, strength and resilience bubbling up within her and pouring out onto those she loves around her. Her resilience is more striking than ever! “I have many things going on at the same time, and I continue to readjust and move forward. I have to be super flexible, take things in stride and maintain a positive outlook.”

THE TRANSFORMATION

“The red collection.. you know I love sparkles,” says Carrie. “Caroline picked out the shirt and this outfit. I wanted it more casual. So I threw satin pants in there and sandals. These photos are fun but also I see peace. The big one in the middle I see peace in my body language and also my face. A huge sense of peace was gained through this experience. Many of the doubts I had about how the kids felt about things were lifted. I knew I did it, and I knew I was a great mom and role model for my kids. And that is priceless. I look so happy in these but also serious in the top left. Throughout everything I have overcome.”

“I can be funny, joyful, and serious when I need to be but all the while coming back to being at peace. For so long there were many terrible things post divorce that went on. I kept myself together (for the most part). And I am proud of myself. It’s very difficult to deal with a person like my ex. Constantly being told how terrible you are weighs you down. When I see these .. I see the time in the Rising Phoenix weekend where I could say, “I can FINALLY breathe”. When I looked at these, I get tears. But I also smile because it was this part of the weekend where I said I can finally breathe. I ordered those words to go under these photos but Duncan (our English lab who is 105 pounds) ate the “I” . ?” (keep scrolling to see Carrie’s second collection!)

Carrie is a true rising phoenix, having emerged from the ashes and embers stronger than ever and ready to tackle whatever comes first. She hopes this experience and how she has handled herself will speak volumes to her sweet children, as she has tried to draw on as much grace, peace and strength as possible during her healing. “My daughter and I got phoenix tattoos! And mine has her birth flower with Caroline’s middle name “Hope” in her handwriting.” Carrie is showing the world that even though her world burned down around her, she was reborn with a fortitude and resilience she could only have imagined before.

WHAT CAROLINE LOVES ABOUT HER MOM

Caroline says her mom is very passionate, cares deeply and is RESILIENT. It has carried her through being a mom and a nurse. Carrie raised her children differently than how she was raised. She’s always willing to keep growing and working to be better than the day before. “My mom and I are really close. When I was bullied as a kid, my mom was always passionate about keeping me safe…our rising phoenix tattoos mean so much because we’ve both risen above…She’s also helped us become good adults. We all have our own struggles, but her parenting style has helped us grow into good people.”

When we asked Caroline to explain how her mom has shaped her she says, “Our humor is weird and unapologetically funny. We both love to laugh and make each other laugh!” Caroline absolutely loves their time together. “My mom brings me inner peace. I crave that and I miss my mom when I’m not home. Also she has taught me about self-worth. She’s taught me that I’m worth it and going somewhere. She is so good at words of affirmation. I appreciate all of it.”

“I hope that when my mom sees these portraits she thinks, ‘I did it!’ She got through it! She gets to feel free now! I want her to feel proud of herself and to see how gorgeous she is!”

WHAT MATTHEW LOVES ABOUT HIS MOM

Matthew was in the middle of college finals but jumped to take our call. We asked him what he loves most about his mom. “Compassion. My mom has always been kind, even when I haven’t been the best son in the world. She’s so supportive. She helps me overcome negative emotions. And she’s caring, easy going and fun. I can talk to her about anything and also joke with her. She’s SO so fun!”

We asked him what he would say her superpower is and he said it’s taking care of others. “She texts me a lot. She’s so in tune with everything; what she needs to do and how to do it. From animals to medication to us kids, she just knows what to do.”

“She has also shaped my sense of dedication. My mom worked at a children’s hospital for 25 years. She texts me and my siblings every day and she’s good at maintaining relationships. She’s shaped my sense of self-confidence. My mom walks into a room with confidence and a smile on her face. She is very outgoing and positive and just a happy person. She always asks how I’m doing and works to create a positive environment. I get ALL of this from her.”

“I hope these portraits remind her of how much we actually care about her. She makes everyone happy and everyone loves her very much.”

WHAT JACOB LOVES ABOUT HIS MOM

Jacob shares with us that his mom is so kind, she always puts others first. She is compassionate and actually cares about how you feel. (Notice a beautiful theme in all these words? :)) Not only that but she understands how you feel too. “She wants to do things that include me. One time we went to the movies and got something afterward to eat–it was just nice for the two of us to hang out together. She’s good about quality time and showing us she loves us.”

“I have a lot of my mom’s personality. She has shown me how to be compassionate and caring. When a friend is down, I try to talk to them and help figure things out. I got that from her. Also she has taught me how to treat women right and do what’s best for them.”

We asked Jacob what he thought his mom’s superpower is and he said, “Her JOY! When you’re with her, you can have a good time and have fun. She’s just a good person to be around.”

“I hope these portraits remind her that she’s a great mom. She’s made an impact in my life! I want her to keep doing what she’s doing.”

WHAT CARRIE’S HUSBAND LOVES ABOUT HER

Carrie and Bill have been married ten years. When we spoke with Bill about Carrie, you could just feel the love and admiration flowing around the conversation. We asked him what he loves most about Carrie and he said, “She has a very uncanny way of debating!” We’ve never heard that one before!! Lol But we love it!

Bill also shared she has a soft heart. “Carrie has a big love for animals, especially rabbits, cats, dogs and goats! And those that are hurting…and she is soft-spoken. She keeps her negative opinions of others to herself. She has a whole list of people when something goes wrong, they call her. She’s a good listener, with an open mind and open heart.”

“I don’t argue with her because she has some way of winning every time. She’s very good at defending what she believes in. In a debate, the kids lose every time! At the same time, she’s so very loving, with the sweetest heart. We have a frequent conversation about rabbits and how she’ll find one that is lonely and needs a friend–we already have four!”

“Carrie was in pediatric hospice for quite some time, and I encouraged her to find something less stressful to do. She now teaches nursing at Miami University and still works in allergy and immunology. It makes her so happy. I want her to enjoy being alive. I’m always trying to get her to laugh and smile more.”

We asked him what he thought these portraits would mean to her. “I just want her to release all of the worry she keeps built up inside. For these to remind her that the glass is half full, not half empty. I want her to see herself the way I see her, so full of life and love.”

HOW SEEING THIS IMPACTS CARRIE EVERY DAY

“The purple dress was picked because I love the color, and I love anything sparkly. I knew I wanted to bring it and this one was my “I did it” dress. When I look at the purple dress portraits, I see confidence. Something I did not have for such a long time because I was always made to feel I was never good enough. But I smile when I see these because I have come so far. From going through an abusive marriage, to being a single mom, emergency surgery and being in critical condition all while being on my own. It was so hard. Trying to be the “better” parent and help the kids 24/7. It was a very emotional and mentally challenging journey. But I did it. I see my Phoenix tattoo in these and I just smile.

The pink dress photos are amazing and remind me of being happy. The top right one was captured when you said a saying my daughter told you to share. I look at this photo and think of that exact moment you said “Caroline told me to say “ready!”” You had Caroline’s inflection perfect. I laughed. And this was the result. It’s beautiful. It’s a reminder that I persevered and my kids are OK. They did it too. And they are doing great. The bottom pink one I realize the relief on my face. Pure joy and the sitting purple one. Happiness .. but mostly relief. Relief that a huge burden has been lifted.”

WHAT CRIS LOVES ABOUT CARRIE

Cris, a dear friend of Carrie’s, gave us 4 of her favorite qualities. Cris loves Carrie’s strength, her ability to juggle 500 things at once, how happy she is and that she is so loving and selfless. Ok, maybe that’s 5! “Carrie rises above all of the challenges she’s had in her relationships. She is so strong. And so happy. Even if she tells you she’s stressed, she maintains a beautiful sense of humor and you wouldn’t know she’s stressed because of it! She would drop everything for anyone that she loves that needs something. She’s selfless, always putting herself last. Carrie is such a beautiful person.”

“A divorce can be tumultuous and make you doubt your value and whether you can manage to raise kids without a partner. Carrie took the difficult route, which was to get the divorce, and figure out a way to move on as a single mom of three in the most beautiful way that her kids didn’t skip a beat. I don’t think for one moment they ever doubted how much she loved them. Carrie always kept them a priority. She still does. Carrie shows everyone around her it can be done and can be done in the most amazing way. She always keeps the kids first and always reminds them how much they are loved. I don’t think they ever for a moment thought they were the cause of the divorce or that they ever had anything to do with it. She is just very, very mindful of the kids and the impact that every choice might have on them. She’s very protective like that and I admire her for it.”

We asked Cris what she thought Carrie’s superpower is and she said, “Her uncanny ability, without anything being said, to know exactly what you need and what’s best for you! She knows what to do to help you. Even if you couldn’t even tell her what you need, she just somehow always has a way of knowing. Whether it is her time, a gift or a card in the mail, a great joke, a night out or whatever, she will give you what you need in the moment.”

WE MET IN 2013!!!

Carrie flew into Seattle for our 2-Day CONFIDENCE Photography Workshop for women in 2013. A couple months later, she had an emergency surgery. But as you can see from her story, Carrie never gives up.

To see her in this place of RESILIENCE! To have the honor of helping Carrie see her true self…there are no words to describe how much it means! We LOVE you, Carrie! You sparkle from the inside out! This next season is going to be your BEST yet! Rise Girl!!!! It’s TIME!!!! We are cheering you ALL the way!!!

Stay tuned next week to meet her best friend, fellow Rising Phoenix, Heidi!

As you read Carrie’s story, remember that you too can find hope and healing. Whether you’ve experienced similar struggles or are seeking your own path to resilience, her story of overcoming abuse and alcoholism in marriage serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to rise.

Are You Ready to Celebrate Your Resilience?

Many people feel self-conscious about celebrating themselves, worried they may seem vain. But your journey, your resilience, and your strength deserve to be honored.

You’ve spent so much time giving to others—now it’s time to invest in yourself. Whether you’ve overcome adversity, achieved a personal milestone, or need to see yourself in a new light, the Rising Phoenix Experience is for you.

Like Carrie and Heidi, and so many others who have taken this courageous step, you’ll see the truth of who you are reflected back at you every day. It’s not about vanity—it’s about rising above the ashes and owning your strength.

What’s Included in Your Rising Phoenix Experience:

Personalized Consultation: Signature calls with you and your loved ones to capture the words that give you life.

Professional Styling: Hair, makeup, and wardrobe consultation.

Guided Photo Shoot: A transformative Rising Phoenix session with Me Ra Koh, where every detail—from lighting to posing—brings out your strength and beauty.

Cinematic Reveal: Same-day reveal and custom design session to create artwork that speaks truth to you every day.

Ready to rise? Take the first step. CLICK HERE to inquire about your own Rising Phoenix Experience.