Hi! I’m Kristal and Chrystal
Because She’s Adopted Podcast host, Kristal welcomes her husband Stewart Parke as they discuss the ups and downs of relinquishment trauma within a marriage.
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“Adoption, abandonment, addiction, and grief shaped our story, but unconditional love and healing strengthened our marriage.”
Navigating Adoption, Marriage, and Healing
On this heartfelt episode of Because She’s Adopted, host Kristal Parke invites a very special guest—her husband, Stewart Parke—to discuss their shared journey through adoption, marriage, and healing. Their conversation delves into raw, emotional territory, touching on the challenges they’ve faced individually and as a couple.
The Beginning of Their Story
Kristal and Stewart reflect on how they met at a birthday party and the unusual, but endearing quirks that defined their early days. Despite rocky beginnings, including navigating a failed first marriage for Kristal, they built a new relationship on love and mutual support. However, as they both admit, their early years together weren’t easy—from Stewart working out of town to raising three children under the age of three, all while managing the emotional baggage Kristal felt as an adoptee.
Adoption and Its Impact on Marriage
Kristal candidly shares how her experiences as an adoptee influenced her relationship with Stewart. She discusses her feelings of abandonment, rejection, and the resulting fear of being unlovable. Stewart, ever supportive, admits to initially not fully understanding how deeply Kristal’s adoption shaped her emotions and behaviours. Over time, both grew in awareness, learning to validate each other’s feelings and find ways to support one another.
Overcoming Addiction
A significant chapter in their story involves Kristal’s struggle with alcohol addiction. She describes how her drinking masked deeper issues tied to her adoption-related trauma. Stewart shares his perspective, admitting he was too afraid of losing her to set firm boundaries during her active addiction. It wasn’t until Kristal hit rock bottom that she decided to seek help. Through treatment and Stewart’s unwavering support, Kristal began her journey toward sobriety, which profoundly changed their marriage.
Stewart reveals his own struggles with occasional binge drinking and the challenges they faced as a couple trying to break free from unhealthy patterns. Together, they credit their sobriety for laying the foundation for the healthier, happier relationship they share today.
Healing and Growth
The couple discusses the transformative moments that reshaped their marriage, including Kristal’s realization that her feelings of abandonment stemmed from her adoption. This epiphany, along with years of therapy and self-work, helped Kristal address her behaviours and approach their relationship with greater understanding. Stewart’s steadfast love and support played a pivotal role in this process, providing Kristal with the safety and stability she needed to heal.
Stewart reflects on his own growth, recognizing the importance of stepping back and allowing Kristal to take the lead in her recovery and personal development. Their dynamic shifted over time, with both partners finding new roles and rhythms in their marriage.
Navigating Grief Together
The loss of both their mothers within a year deeply impacted Kristal and Stewart, triggering grief and old wounds. Kristal’s mother’s passing brought her unresolved feelings of maternal loss to the surface, amplifying the emotional challenges she faced. Stewart supported her through this difficult time, even as he navigated his own grief. Together, they found strength in their shared experiences and deepened their connection.
Celebrating Milestones
Kristal shares her journey of creating a documentary about her adoption story, which became a transformative project for her personal healing. Stewart’s support, encouragement, and willingness to give her space to grow allowed Kristal to fully embrace this creative endeavour. Their advanced private screening of the documentary was a milestone in both their personal and shared journeys.
Why Their Marriage Works
The Parks credit the success of their marriage to several key factors:
- Sobriety as a foundation for change
- Open communication and validation of each other’s feelings
- A commitment to growth and healing
- Unconditional love and mutual support
- Kristal praises Stewart’s reliability, selflessness, and leadership, while Stewart admires Kristal’s resilience, emotional depth, and determination to continuously improve herself and their relationship.
Final Thoughts
This episode is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the willingness to face life’s challenges head-on. Kristal and Stewart’s journey is a beautiful reminder that healing is possible, even in the face of deep pain, and that true partnership requires continual effort and unwavering support.
Listen to the full episode on “Because She’s Adopted” to hear Kristal and Stewart’s story in their own words. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review!
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Because She Was Adopted Podcast
Now, we’d love to hear from you!
What part of Kristal and Stewart’s story resonated most with you? Have you faced moments in your relationships where healing from past wounds transformed your connection with a loved one? Share your thoughts in the comments—your insights could be the spark that helps someone else find clarity, hope, or courage on their own journey.
Please share as much detail as you’re comfortable with. This community thrives on the openness and inspiration shared here, and your voice could make a meaningful difference to someone seeking support.
Thank you for being a part of this space. Your contributions make it one of the most uplifting and empowering places online.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Kristal
