I have a confession to make. My story begins over twelve years ago, I was a different woman then. Like so many people, I was unaware that much of my life revolved around searching for love and approval. Yet you could say I had it all: a husband, two great kids, a strong faith, a fulfilling career and a lovely home. So why did I feel so empty, so lonely and so desperate to be loved? At the time I didn't have any answers, only an incredibly strong subconscious need to be valued and appreciated for who I was. My marriage of eleven years had been a happy one, but it had arrived at a place where many marriages visit, a place called 'familiarity'. Movies like 'Pretty Women' fuelled my fantasies. I wanted my own Richard Gere to rescue me from the curse of monotony. Herein lies my story, a journey through fantasy, adultery and ultimately, self- discovery. Subsequent events would change my life, forever. My actions prompted a year of sheer emotional turmoil. Certainly there was rapturous pleasure; forbidden fruit does something quite tantalizing to the taste buds. And yet as my tale unfolded, the outcome was one which I could not possibly have foreseen. So why would I want to share such a story? My hope is that it will help and inspire others. Many struggle with the same issues as I did, low self esteem, lack of confidence and an inability to accept oneself. As you read my story, I trust you will open your mind. Try to understand and, more importantly, apply the lessons learnt from my mistakes. If you can do this, your life can take on new and exciting possibilities, no longer confined by the constraints of your past or your mind. Alison x