The Story of My Ring Finger Tan Line
Hi there, stranger. My name is Laura, and I am the voice behind Ring Finger Tan Line.
On my 7th birthday, I discovered my passion for writing. I asked my parents for a typewriter because I thought it would make me an authentic author. I then proceeded to shut myself in my room and compose lengthy narratives on boys in bubbles and snowmen without arms.
Really, no one should be surprised at how strange I’ve turned out to be.
Since nobody bought the publishing rights to “Bubble Boy Meets Armless Frosty,” I ended up going to school for business. Then, I went to business school (yes, those are different). These days, I work in tech sales in the beautiful city of Austin, and I spend a hell of a lot of my spare time working on this blog.
I fell into blogging in 2011, right after I ended my seven month marriage. That was a turning point in my life, and by no means an easy decision. But when you find hotel room receipts, dating website profiles, credit card charges for fancy restaurants you’ve never been to, pictures, text messages, and every other horrifying piece of evidence that a wife never wants to find – you have a choice to make.
We went to counseling. We went to a retreat. I agonized for two months over what to do. But in the end, it was clear that he wasn’t ready to stop the cheating. And so I left.
I was 24 years old, freshly betrayed, and painfully alone – both physically and mentally. I ached without warning. I walked into traffic on purpose. I stopped speaking to my co-workers for nearly a month.
I spent days scouring the internet for a forum post, a blog, anything that spoke to me. A sign that somewhere out there, there was just one person who understood exactly what I was going through. And I never found it. So with a push from my loved ones, I started to write. I poured it all out – the good, bad, and crazy – and put it here. And Ring Finger Tan Line was born.
Since its inception, this blog has become so much more than a place to store my thoughts. It’s a cookbook. It’s a database of fashion and beauty and fun. It’s social commentary. It’s photography. It’s a story. It’s a journey. And it’s only just begun. So stick around.
Wow. I came by your site via “that precarious gate”.
All I can say is not all of us are like that. His behavior is sickening and I’ll bet he is deeply insecure internally.
Good luck
Peace to you.
I certainly hope I find one who isn’t like that sometime soon
Thanks for stopping by!
This breaks my heart! It makes me feel like an idiot for complaining about my break ups. I can’t imagine going through what you went through. A similar thing happened to a good friend of mine. The whole online dating thing is scary because so many guys stay on it after they get married.
Hang in there! I’m excited to keep reading your posts!
It is a terrible ordeal to go through, but believe I will come out stronger. After a prolonged phase of borderline alcoholism and rampant sex, that is
what beauty! you hang in there, guys would be standing in line for soemeone like you. witty, pretty, and creative! oh, i meant me, not you! LOL really, you are something special. good luck to you.
Wow…. I’m so sorry you had to go through that! Best of luck in life & love!
Thanks! Life is treating me very well right now. So blessed with amazing, supportive friends who are willing to hire hit men to fend off my ex.
I’m sorry to hear your ex is an idiot. You obviously are not and deserve much, much, better. That’s kind of the cool thing about life. We think we know what we want and when it falls apart we’re devastated. What’s cool about that? Well, typically, and I will even venture out and say that 99% of the time when something like that happens, it’s God’s way of mucking the manure out of the barn and cleaning it up fresh and new for something better to move in. Good luck to you! Happy I found your blog and will enjoy watching you grow! ~April
Thank you so much for your kind words! I look forward to finding my TRUE love one day and enjoying the journey before I do
This really suks. You will find a decent guy, don’t worry.
Thanks- I sure hope so!
You poor thing. I truly believe everything happens for a reason and you will come out a shining star! I love your blog and can see you have many talents, totally his loss! Best of luck to you.
Haha, thank you! Keep the flattery coming, I don’t mind it one bit
Sucks this happened. We men are pigs, I know. However, the bright side is you were not so deep into a relationship/marriage that it would have been an epic split.
Not that I have any illusions this helps in any way…
Haha you are right… you men can be total pigs
I am so grateful that no children were involved. And that I got custody of the babies we did have- the dogs
Good morning! I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. If you would like to participate, you can go here to see the rules. http://gluten-free-zen.com/2012/01/20/the-best-things-about-blogging/
Thank you so much!!! So honored
Will make a post about this as soon as I get more free time, haha
That’s awful. My ex was on dating sites and meeting up with other women, too.
Awww…cute pups!
Good to know I am not the only one! Men suck, huh?
And my pups are my pride and joy
I’m so very sorry that this happened to you. But you are lucky to be a 24-year old divorcee instead of a 34-year old one like me. Consider it a gift (I know it doesn’t seem like one now) that you found out before committing the best years of your life and bringing children into the world with this man. Good luck, and I can’t wait to follow along with your journey!
Amen- so glad I did not have children with him yet. That was actually the reason that gave me the strength to leave him for good: I can deal with the consequences of staying for myself, but I can’t deal with putting my children through anything like this.
I feel with you, poor girl! But let me assure you that one day you’ll find your Mr. Perfect who will treat you like a princess – as you deserve it! About 3 years I found out by pure chance that my boyfriend at that time (with whom I’d been living together for over 1 year then) had an about 1-year old son with another woman. I left him immediately – and can now say that this was the best thing that has ever happened to me in my entire life because about one year later I got to know my Mr. Right!
So, hang on – and thank you for your blog! Love it
i’m sorry for the things that happened to you, but look on the bright side…
i’ll get back to you on that.
anyway, i found your blog by accident, and i like your “voice,” so don’t be surprised (or annoyed) if you’re seeing random comments from me about some of your older posts. i like to find new writers and crawl through their posts to see what they have to say.
have a great day,
rich
also, that picture at the top, those black shoes. are they yours? fabulous shoes.
Oh, I follow your blog
I have read your posts in the “blogs I follow” section, but never clicked in to your blog. I think you’re a very good writer, It makes me want to read more..
Hey
I’ve nominated you for a blogging award
http://theyearofwonderfulweekends.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/liebster-blog-award/
Thank you so much!!! I will need to make a post about this soon- I am so backlogged with material!
Just stumbled on your blog……wow you have been through it….. what a pig…. you are better off without him….you are a great writer and I look forward to reading more. Hang in there and enjoy your life.
Thank you! Yes, I am finally starting to realize that I deserve better. Let’s hope I find it
You will find it….. I have recently come out of a 15 year marriage…..I have found happiness beyond words….there is someone else out there for you and you so deserve to find him….be lucky….
How awful! I got divorced when I was 28 (like you, the circumstances didn’t really give me much of a choice), but I’ve since remarried to the most wonderful guy in the world. It might not happen overnight, but it will happen, and you’ll be amazed at your newfound strength and resilience!
I had a 3 week marriage annulled. I feel you pain! Hang in there. And be very, very choosy!
Oh…my…gosh.
What a coniving scumbag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(On a lighter note it is nice to meet you
Following your blog now. Now you have one more supporter!!)
Your blog is amazing i hope you get through this difficult stage in your life. You are very beautiful and i’m sure one day you will find true happiness. The fact that you had the power to leave him in the first place is huge some of us are incapable of doing so
im following you and i will share your blog as it is a great read.
xxxx
I decided to follow this blog, because I think your journey will be interesting…and successful!
I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! Click here to find out what to do http://adorablycaffeinated.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/hey-mom-look-im-versatile/ and thanks for being awesome
It’s me again i just wanted to say what a pleasure it is to read your blog every other day!! Oh and tell you that since you put up the article about crisps with chocolate i have put on at least 2kg!!!!
xxxx
Hahahahah sorry to put weight on you! Aren’t they delicious, though??
Hey, I came across your blog through Creativenoodling. Interesting. You might enjoy ours: mysexlifewithlola.com At least it will get you through those long nights when you’re too tired to bake.
HH
Came across your blog through pinterest. Someone pinned one of your recipes, and I have literally been visiting when I can, and reading through some of your older posts. It is unfortunate what happened to you, and I understand where you are coming from. I am 23 years old man and recently just got out of a 3 1/2 year relationship, and found out my ex had been cheating on me for more than 15 months. But I do like you do, go through everyday with a smile one my face, and always have some flour and eggs in my kitchen. Life after those exes are so much better, especially with chocolate.
Looking forward to reading your newer posts. Good luck with everything.
So glad you found me! Thanks for stopping by
Such a shock when your life changes like that. I hope you are doing well with everything! Try salted caramel. Always improves my mood!
I’ve nominated you for a Lovely Blog Award.
I’ve loved following your progress this year…and enjoy the “food porn” pictures you post! Yum!!
Thank you so much!! I am so glad to have people who have been following since the start. You guys have been such a big help in my recovery and you don’t even know it!
Hello! im alllllll the way from Singapore and stumbled upon your blog because i googled cupcakes and it seems you have an interesting collection of comfort food recipes! and before i know it, i was hooked onto your other posts, besides food.
You are such a great blogger! your posts are so funny and extremely relatable! and seeing you journeyed through from your first posts here to the latest one on, i can see you are certainly well-off and better without your ex. truthfully. look at you now!
Keep up the great work blogging. Food, books, dating, sex advice, shoes whatever, i’m following this blog! =)
Thank you so much! It’s comments like this that really keep me going on my blog. It has been such a huge part of my recovery process! Thanks for reading!
Hi Laura!
I just wanted to say I stumbled upon your blog because I was on some site and the picture of the baked rigatoni came up and I was like omg..I started drooling!! Anyways..its funny how things happen cause I loved your tag line..”maybe Ill be better at blogging then marriage..or maybe Ill just eat some chocolate!!” Love it. I am only 3 months separated/in the divorce process after a 1 year marriage in which I found out my husband was having an affair. I am 29. All i can say is I totally relate to you…I would say Im still in the rampant sex and chocolate addiction phase but I know life goes on and your blog is so inspiring and Im loving it! Oh, and as much as I wish it had never happened to you, sometimes it feels good to know you’re not alone.
You know, the rampant sex and chocolate phase is not a bad one. I miss it sometimes. Enjoy it
And welcome! I am so glad you found me!
Hi Laura,
I just commented on your amazing after thanksgiving sandwich and pinned it to my “Got to Try it ” Board. I have been enjoying browsing through your website and am really enjoying myself here. You have indeed created a special place and I am glad to have stumbled upon it. Your picture is lovely by the way. I look forward to visiting here more often.
Take care,
Allison
I was struck by your by-line: ”Maybe I’ll be better at blogging than marriage…” – well dear Laura, it seems to me that one who was bad at marriage wasn’t you! You are absolutely stunning. You have so much to look forward to – so, as a happy-go-lucky, optimistic Sagittarius… I say be happy it was only seven months. It’ll feel like a pimple to you when you are old and grey, rocking on your porch. Something that you didn’t expect, was messy to pop, stung and lingered for a bit longer than it should have!
Cheers to you. Keep blogging. Keep smiling!
kim
montreal
Hi Laura, I came across your blog thru Pinterest and I instantly became intrigued. I became recently separated almost two years ago from my husband. He wasn’t cheating that I know of but techinically was with drugs. We have a 5 year old and he was arrested and we left. I haven’t started dating again yet but have jumped in the “I gotta satisfy my needs field” if you know what I mean. And boy has it been great! lol I am glad to know that I am not the only one out there trying to feel normal again. I am going to continue to follow you and read what you have to say! Thank you!
Brooke
Your blog is fucking amazing. That is all.
So I came upon your blog via a Pinterest recipe and I am so glad that I did! For the last 10 minutes I have been laughing out loud at just about every posting. Keep up the great work and you now have one more follower! (though not in that creepy follow you home way)
BTW, I am from Austin area also!
I found your blog via a recipe on Pinterest… immediately hooked on the BBQ onion-grilled cheese but even more on your writing style – love it.
I was married to the same kind of jerk – good for you leaving him. And, like the person above I’ll be reading your blog too – because we all need a good laugh now and then.
Thanks