“When you have a broken heart – at least when I do – you got to get it out of your system. You want people to sympathize with you. I was at rock bottom, in the middle of hell.”

Rumors of a breakdown dogged Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert’s brief marriage. Both are now contentedly wed to separate partners.

Given their prominent positions in the music industry, it is understandable why Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert fell in love so soon.

Even though he was still married when he met her, their shared love of music drew them together. Their love affair ended in divorce eventually.

Blake Shelton and Kaynette Williams during the 38th Annual CMA Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House November 9, 2004 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

Following their introductions at CMT’s 100 Greatest Duets Concert, the two musicians first came into contact with one another in 2005.

https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?gdpr=0&client=ca-pub-3764810839868565&output=html&h=125&slotname=3197500636&adk=376180702&adf=2440869211&pi=t.ma~as.3197500636&w=500&abgtt=6&fwrn=4&lmt=1722354523&rafmt=11&format=500×125&url=https%3A%2F%2Favokaddo.com%2F2024%2F07%2F09%2Fwhen-you-have-a-broken-heart-at-least-when-i-do-you-got-to-get-it-out-of-your-system-you-want-people-to-sympathize-with-you-i-was-at-rock-bottom-in-the-middle-of-hell%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawEV6ZRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHXyzTnmexRrTPzEEP0chLLyY1svqKfsLeaYIY5QiJKwY1cdZvMAcehi0gA_aem_muoUArj-i3oQAZ_Vt4IXLA&wgl=1&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMC4zLjAiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMDkuMC41NDE0LjE2OCIsbnVsbCwwLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyJOb3RfQSBCcmFuZCIsIjk5LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJHb29nbGUgQ2hyb21lIiwiMTA5LjAuNTQxNC4xNjgiXSxbIkNocm9taXVtIiwiMTA5LjAuNTQxNC4xNjgiXV0sMF0.&dt=1722354242850&bpp=1&bdt=656&idt=813&shv=r20240725&mjsv=m202407250101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Dd6f422181fa8e320%3AT%3D1712754368%3ART%3D1722354247%3AS%3DALNI_MbQ8K8Uz_tQiOWk9_ho73iGWbUvXg&gpic=UID%3D00000de663175333%3AT%3D1712754368%3ART%3D1722354247%3AS%3DALNI_MZzkvLBsYSBf99BTmrLqXAWredf6A&eo_id_str=ID%3D880422cb866d8cdc%3AT%3D1712754368%3ART%3D1722354247%3AS%3DAA-AfjYIkHBaiiV25sK_LhuhTK3y&prev_fmts=0x0%2C870x280%2C1090x582%2C500x125%2C500x125&nras=2&correlator=1699554790549&frm=20&pv=1&rplot=4&u_tz=420&u_his=2&u_h=768&u_w=1360&u_ah=728&u_aw=1360&u_cd=24&u_sd=1&dmc=8&adx=110&ady=2970&biw=1090&bih=582&scr_x=0&scr_y=700&eid=44759875%2C44759926%2C44759837%2C95331832%2C95334524%2C95334828%2C95337868%2C31084184%2C95336522%2C95336267&oid=2&psts=AOrYGsm0A-AFATYU27TmKvVliCsLfTF5XTOaSmGFuY24Ig6grjwTRpyLmA9Oh3zCzX6atVTwsc2qXLatVe8cevMyFmbx1zE%2CAOrYGsmD7e8l14G2_MssL6qrMvdE56kkfUovkFzb7LNWKUClg1GLanK872ecrAO3gf80G7npkXJ8z6XUPegLdxJIPGrivQM&pvsid=4346139120627902&tmod=1615685186&uas=3&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&fc=1920&brdim=164%2C24%2C164%2C24%2C1360%2C0%2C1123%2C702%2C1107%2C582&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CopeEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1.01&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=3&fsb=1&dtd=M

From the beginning, she was drawn to him, but he ignored her because he was married. In a similar vein, Shelton was instantly smitten with the “Drunk” singer.

The beginning of their romantic tale

In a subsequent interview, Lambert claimed to have seen Shelton’s wedding photo in Country Weekly and to have known he was married. She continued, saying:

“I should have known better—this is forbidden. For crying out loud, my folks work as private detectives. I’ve witnessed affairs my entire life. I am one of the few who can truly know better than this.

Even still, she was powerless to ignore the “inevitable chemistry” they shared from the start. Shelton separated from his wife Kaynette Williams a year later and went after Lambert.

Shelton asked Lambert to marry him in 2010, but he did so in remembrance of her father. The “God’s Country” singer gave Lambert’s father a call to get his OK before proposing on May 9 and bringing out a platinum and diamond ring that he had personally picked out.

“It’s so much more perfect than I could have picked myself, but we’ve been together for five years, so he knew exactly what I wanted,” Lambert remarked. The country music artist cherished the casual party that was the proposal.

Apart from that specific instance, 2010 was an exceptional year for Lambert, as she achieved her first number one song, “White Liar,” in January and won both Album of the Year and Top Female Vocalist at the ACM Awards.

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton at LP Field during the 2010 CMA Music Festival on June 13, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

The pair married in 2011, but problems soon arose in their union. Rumors of a breakup surfaced in 2013, which the couple refuted.

In order to demonstrate that there were no secrets in their marriage, the “The Voice” judge at the time said that his wife had access to his phone anytime she wanted. He declared:

We truly do have that level of trust. Nothing is hidden. “Go search through my drawers or my computer if you feel like it,” is what I’ll say, and it’s been extremely helpful since I don’t want her to ever question anything.

Even though there were still rumors in 2014, the pair didn’t seem to be affected and even made jokes about the supposed divorce. In the past two years, Lambert joked, “I think I’ve had like five sets of twins and we’ve been divorced four times, and one of us had a $100 million divorce.”

Shelton and Stefani were married in a modest chapel on the “Home” singer’s property in July 2021 in a private ceremony held in Oklahoma.
The pair sent heartfelt wishes on social media to commemorate their third wedding anniversary the same year.

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton during the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards concerts at the Fremont Street Experience during the on April 17, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Lambert acknowledged that marriage was difficult, but he also stated it was a wonderful gift that shouldn’t be taken too seriously. She continued, saying:

It is our constant goal to be together. On our anniversary, I wouldn’t want to be on the other side of the nation! That moment is precious.

However, the pair soon shown that there was turmoil in paradise, proving the claims to be real. Gwen Stefani collaborated with Shelton as a coach on season nine of “The Voice” in April 2014.

After four years together, Shelton and Lambert announced their divorce within a year. They said in a statement that was released:

+We are actual individuals with actual lives, families, friends, and coworkers. As a result, we respectfully request your understanding and privacy in this very private situation.

The couple disclosed that they were surprised by the split and that they had to take a risk by choosing to continue living their lives on their own.

Both before and after the publishing of the statement, Shelton and Lambert said nothing about the matter. They had ten wonderful years together, including their courtship phase.

LIFE AFTER PARTNERSHIP

Shelton quickly started dating Gwen Stefani, his co-star on “The Voice,” following their breakup. On November 4, 2015, they made their relationship official via Shelton’s agent, who stated:

“Gwen and Blake have been friends for a long time, but they recently started dating.”

Gwen Stefani, Adam Levine, Pharrell Williams, and Blake Shelton during "The Voice" Season 7. | Source: Getty Images

The couple claimed that their congruent divorces and life events strengthened their bond.

Shelton eventually told Lambert about his divorce in 2020. Details regarding their breakup were disclosed in his song “If I’m Honest.”

He answered, “Maybe not specifics.” However, you get the gist of it. It is my chronicle of divorce, but perhaps even more than that, it is also my record of happiness and infatuation.

He’s got to admit that his second divorce has devastated him to the point of no return. Even though Shelton did not create the song “She’s Got a Way With Words,” which describes a partner who strayed and lied, he isn’t stopping people from believing it was a reflection of his own relationship. He declared:

“You have to let go of it when you’re feeling down, or at least that’s how I feel. You want to be able to relate to other individuals. I was in the midst of hell, at my lowest point.

But there was also someone who understood him quite well. It was a day he will never forget. “Gwen, who I didn’t really know, had these enormous tears in her eyes when I looked at her. It struck me, “Wow, she really feels bad for me.”

Miranda Lambert and Brendan McLoughlin during the 54th Academy Of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 07, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

The singer of “Candyman” had recently filed for divorce from Gavin Rossdale, her husband of 20 years. Later, she spoke with Shelton by herself, and that’s when their close relationship began.

As time went on, their friendship grew; they went from communicating their understanding to exchanging emails once a week. He declared:

“Then I wake up, and she’s my entire world, and I wonder if she feels the same way about me.”

Shelton and Stefani were married in a modest chapel on the “Home” singer’s property in July 2021 in a private ceremony held in Oklahoma. Luckily, Stefani’s family and kids adore her new husband and have a wonderful impact on her. Says she:

“I’ve never had a more feminine style. I think it’s because I have a pretty macho man and I’m genuinely in love. Now that I’ve let that side of myself show, I enjoy it.

Within three months of their first date, Lambert also wed Brendan McLoughlin, an officer in New York City. Even though he was married when they initially met, their love remained. It was made public in 2022 that the couple was attempting to conceive.

I Finally Found Love in My 40s, but My Boyfriend Disappeared When I Needed Him the Most

At 42, Anya finally dares to love again, only to be met with silence from the man who promised to be there. He vanishes without a word when she needs him the most, leaving her questioning if love is worth the risk after all.

I’ve built a life most would call complete. A successful career as an architect, good friends, and a steady rhythm to my days.

Yet, I’d often feel so lonely in my quiet apartment. My friends would tell me it was about time I found a partner, but I’d never agree.

A woman sitting in her house | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting in her house | Source: Midjourney

“Anya, when was the last time you went on a date?” my friend Lisa teased one day.

“Oh, I think my soulmate must be my drafting table at this point.” I laughed it off, but deep down, her words struck a nerve.

She rolled her eyes. “Come on, seriously. Don’t you miss having someone around?”

I forced a half-smile. “I don’t think it’s in the cards for me. Too much history, too much… complication.”

A woman talking to a friend | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking to a friend | Source: Midjourney

I was 25 the last time I was in love.

My high school sweetheart, Stephan, and I had dreams as big as the sky. But life happened. My mom passed away, and grief consumed me.

I still remember Stephan’s last words before he left.

“Anya, I can’t do this anymore,” he’d said in a cold voice. “You’ve changed. You’re just too sad, and I need someone who’s happy. I need someone who’s there for me. Not someone who just spends her entire day crying!”

A young man sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

A young man sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

I couldn’t believe it. Instead of staying with me during the worst time of my life, Stephan chose to walk away.

I didn’t even ask him to stay back. I cried like a baby the night he left me.

However, I soon picked up the broken pieces of my heart and tried to distract my mind by focusing on my work.

As years passed, I told myself I didn’t need a man to be happy. I had a thriving career and became the strong, independent woman I’d dreamed of.

But deep down, I’d feel the ache for something more whenever I’d see couples on the street.

A couple walking on the street | Source: Pexels

A couple walking on the street | Source: Pexels

Lately, though, it wasn’t just the loneliness bothering me. I’d feel worn down and fatigued and would often get headaches and spells of dizziness.

Lisa and some others nudged me to see a doctor, but I brushed it off as stress from work. After all, a few aches were nothing compared to what I’d been through, right?

A few weeks after Lisa’s pep talk, I found myself at a neighborhood charity event. It was one of those pop-up art galleries that featured local artists.

People in an art gallery | Source: Pexels

People in an art gallery | Source: Pexels

I was standing in front of a watercolor painting of a misty mountain when a deep, cheerful voice spoke beside me.

“Not bad, right? Although the brushwork here is, uh, interesting.”

I looked over, meeting the eyes of a man with a mischievous grin and an infectious energy that caught me off guard.

“I’d say unique,” I replied, raising an eyebrow. “I take it you’re an art critic in disguise?”

“History professor, actually,” he laughed. “Liam’s the name. And you?”

A man standing in an art gallery | Source: Midjourney

A man standing in an art gallery | Source: Midjourney

“Anya,” I said, trying not to smile too much. But something about him drew me in. I guess it was his intelligence.

As we talked, his sense of humor and insight made me feel instantly comfortable. I learned he was a history professor, just 35, but surprisingly mature for his age.

Unlike other men I’d known, he didn’t rush to impress or make advances.

He seemed genuinely interested in art, and in me, without any hidden agenda. There was something refreshingly steady about him.

A man talking to a woman | Source: Midjourney

A man talking to a woman | Source: Midjourney

I told myself he was just a nice guy I’d chat with once and then forget. But that turned out to be wishful thinking.

Over the next few weeks, we kept running into each other at different places. We even started meeting up on purpose.

I found myself looking forward to seeing him in a way I hadn’t felt in years.

One evening at the diner, we were talking over coffee when I asked him about his family.

A woman holding her coffee | Source: Pexels

A woman holding her coffee | Source: Pexels

“They, uh, they’re a bit different,” he told me. “And I don’t see them often.”

He didn’t elaborate, and quickly changed the topic. He rarely mentioned them after that.

It was strange, but I didn’t push. I understood the need to keep some things close to the chest.

Soon, our friendship blossomed into something deeper, something I hadn’t let myself feel in years. Every time I’d catch myself replaying our conversations in my head, I knew it was more than just companionship.

A woman standing in her kitchen | Source: Midjourney

A woman standing in her kitchen | Source: Midjourney

Liam and I were together now. He was my boyfriend, though saying it out loud still felt surreal.

One afternoon, we met up for lunch at a small diner. In the background, the TV was showing a weather report.

Suddenly, I noticed Liam’s attention snap to the screen as the reporter announced, “Cosolia is expected to have a bout of bad weather. Prepare your umbrellas, folks, because this isolated town is sure to become even more closed off with the upcoming rain…”

Liam’s focus sharpened at the mention of the small town.

A man standing in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney

A man standing in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney

Meanwhile, I’d never heard of the place before.

“You know the place?” I asked.

“Oh, yeah, uh, I’ve been there a few times,” he said. “I didn’t know they were going to have rain right now. Anyway, what are we having for lunch?”

He quickly changed the topic, but it didn’t bother me. I thought it was just the historian in him who was fascinated with odd places.

A man looking away while talking to a woman | Source: Midjourney

A man looking away while talking to a woman | Source: Midjourney

After a wonderful evening with Liam, I found myself feeling unusually dizzy and faint. This was different. It was worse than the usual fatigue I’d brushed off as work stress.

My head felt heavy, and for a moment, my vision blurred. That was the day I finally decided it was time to see a doctor.

Sitting in the sterile waiting room, I kept telling myself it was nothing serious.

Just stress, just work, I thought. You’re gonna be okay.

But the doctor’s expression told me otherwise.

A doctor studying a report | Source: Pexels

A doctor studying a report | Source: Pexels

He explained that the tests showed I had Multiple Sclerosis. The words didn’t sink in right away.

“It’s probably just stress, right?” I laughed weakly.

The doctor told me to calm down before he explained more.

He said words like “tests,” “rare”, and “serious,” but I have no idea what he told me. I could only feel my heart pound against my chest as I looked at him.

A woman in a doctor's office | Source: Midjourney

A woman in a doctor’s office | Source: Midjourney

At that point, I thought of Liam. He was the one person who’d brought light back into my life. Maybe he’d know what to say to make this all feel less terrifying.

As I left the doctor’s office, I felt tears stream down my cheeks. I quickly sat inside my car and typed out a message to Liam.

A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels

A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels

Liam, I need to tell you something. I was at the doctor’s today… they diagnosed me with Multiple Sclerosis. I’m so scared. I don’t even know where to start dealing with this. I thought I’d be okay, but I’m not. I could really use your support right now, babe. Please meet me.

I hit send, praying he’d respond quickly.

Hours passed, though, and my phone stayed silent. By the time night turned to dawn, I was nearly sick with worry.

Maybe he doesn’t want to deal with this, I thought.

A worried woman in her house | Source: Midjourney

A worried woman in her house | Source: Midjourney

Day one turned into day two, then day three, and still, there was no word.

He’s gone silent. Maybe he’s busy, but it’s been days. What if… what if he doesn’t want to deal with this? The thought hit me again, hard. I was alone again.

Memories of Stephan flooded back and his cold words echoed in my mind. “You’re just too sad, and I need someone who’s happy.”

Was I about to lose Liam the same way?

A worried woman | Source: Midjourney

A worried woman | Source: Midjourney

Desperation took over, and I combed through his social media, looking for any sign of life. I called him repeatedly, but it went to voicemail. I even went to his apartment, but his neighbor told me he’d left suddenly.

“Why would he just leave without a word? Did my illness scare him that much?” I whispered to myself.

The pain of abandonment was too familiar. I was convinced Liam had chosen to walk away, just when I needed him the most.

On the fourth day, just as I was starting to accept that Liam had disappeared, my phone finally rang. His name lit up the screen.

A woman looking at her phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman looking at her phone | Source: Midjourney

“Anya, I’m so sorry. I had to leave in such a rush,” he started, his voice sounding strained and exhausted. “My grandmother… she lives in Cosolia. She got really sick, and I just—”

Cosolia. That small town on the weather report, the one that had captured his attention at the diner. It all clicked, but the anger I’d felt these past days pushed through.

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

“Do you have any idea what that did to me, Liam?” I interrupted. “You just vanished. I thought… I thought you were gone. Like everyone else.”

There was a pause, and his voice softened when he spoke again.

“I know, Anya. And I hate that I put you through that. I wanted to reach out, but everything went wrong. The storm knocked out all the power, the roads flooded… I couldn’t get to you.” His words poured out in a rush. “I couldn’t even find a working phone. The whole area was cut off.”

A man talking on the phone | Source: Pexels

A man talking on the phone | Source: Pexels

Was he telling the truth? I wondered, feeling a flicker of doubt. Why hadn’t he ever mentioned this grandmother before? Or even that she lived in Cosolia? And what about all those times I’d asked about his family… why had he dodged my questions? Was he hiding more? My mind raced with questions, one after another. Should I trust him?

“Anya? Are you there?” His voice broke into my thoughts, pulling me back.

I took a breath. “Why didn’t you ever tell me about your family, Liam? Every time I asked, you brushed it off.”

A woman talking to her boyfriend on the phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking to her boyfriend on the phone | Source: Midjourney

“Because…” he sighed. “I was ashamed. My family doesn’t have much. They live in a small town, and I thought you’d see me differently if you knew. My life’s messy, Anya. I didn’t want you to see that part of me.”

I stayed quiet for a moment, letting his words sink in. The sincerity in his words felt real.

“Liam,” I said softly, “I’m not the kind of person who judges someone for where they come from or how much they have. I care about you for who you are.”

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

“Thank you, Anya,” he said before taking a deep breath. “That… means everything to me. I’ll be back by tomorrow. And I’ll be here for you, for whatever you need.”

When Liam returned the next day, he came straight to my place. We sat on the couch and talked about everything. About my diagnosis, his family, and our fears.

And for the first time, I let down my walls completely.

“I don’t want to be a burden, Liam,” I said quietly, tears brimming. “You didn’t sign up for this…”

He took my hand and looked straight into my eyes.

A man holding his girlfriend's hands | Source: Pexels

A man holding his girlfriend’s hands | Source: Pexels

“Anya, life isn’t about ‘signing up’ for things. It throws us surprises. Good and bad. And I’m not going anywhere.” He squeezed my hand gently. “You don’t have to do this alone. I’ll be here with you, for as long as you need me.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I looked at him.

“I’m so sorry for putting you through this, Liam,” I managed to say between sobs. “I…”

He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. It was exactly the kind of hug I needed at that moment.

A man hugging his girlfriend | Source: Pexels

A man hugging his girlfriend | Source: Pexels

A few days later, Liam drove me to my next doctor’s appointment. He opened the door for me and held my hand as we entered the office.

For the first time in years, I had someone standing by my side during one of the lowest points of my life. Someone who wouldn’t leave if I cried too much. Someone who was ready to accept both the good and the messy sides of me.

I don’t know what I did to deserve a person like Liam. He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.

A man smiling at his girlfriend | Source: Midjourney

A man smiling at his girlfriend | Source: Midjourney

If you enjoyed reading this story, here’s another one you might like: Inheriting her beloved grandmother’s house, Claire pours her heart into its renovation for her mom. But the unexpected return of her estranged sister, Emma, after fourteen years, with a demand for a share of the inheritance, throws Claire’s plans into turmoil. What will she do now?

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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