You’d think in a flooded city with no electricity, having your husband nearby would be a comfort. The past few days have proved otherwise. Knowing the hurricane was coming, I stocked up on food, water, and charged power banks. My husband did nothing.

With two little kids, I prepared their favorite meals and downloaded cartoons in advance. When the hurricane hit, we were all home. My husband, having grown up where hurricanes are rare, had no clue how to handle it. But it didn’t excuse how he acted.

As soon as we lost power, the kids started fussing and crying. I went to get some snacks for them, only to find my husband had eaten half of them. I found him in the living room, using the power bank to play games on his phone out of “boredom.” When I confronted him, it turned into a huge fight. Finally, I told him to do whatever he wanted. So he said he was hot and went to sit in the car with the AC on.

At that moment, I realized I was facing two hurricanes – one outside and one within my own home. Not knowing how long we would be stuck in the house with no way of getting out, I came up with a plan.

I took a deep breath and focused on what I could control. The kids needed me, and I couldn’t afford to waste energy on my husband’s childish behavior. I gathered the kids in the living room and turned our predicament into an adventure. We built a fort with blankets and pillows, creating a cozy and safe space. I told them stories and played flashlight games, trying to keep their spirits high despite the storm raging outside.

I rationed the remaining snacks carefully, making sure the kids had enough to eat. I even managed to save a few treats to keep their morale up. The cartoons I had downloaded became a lifesaver, distracting them and giving me brief moments of respite.

Every time I glanced outside, I saw my husband sitting in the car, oblivious to the challenges we were facing inside. He’d come in occasionally, complaining about the heat or asking for something to eat. Each time, I calmly directed him to the remaining supplies and went back to tending to the kids.

The first night was the hardest. The howling wind and the kids’ fear made it nearly impossible to sleep. I stayed awake, holding them close and reassuring them that everything would be alright. In those moments, I found a strength I didn’t know I had. My husband’s absence in our crisis became a stark contrast to the resilience I discovered within myself.

As the days went by, I developed a routine. We made the best of daylight hours, playing games and reading books. I taught the kids basic survival skills, turning it into a learning experience. We sang songs and laughed together, creating a bond that would see us through the worst of the storm.

On the third day, the power finally returned. The lights flickered on, and I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. The kids cheered, and I hugged them tightly, grateful that we had made it through.

My husband returned from the car, looking sheepish. He mumbled an apology, but I was too exhausted to respond. His actions during the hurricane had shown me his true colors, and I knew I had some difficult decisions to make.

In the days that followed, I sat down with him and had a frank conversation about our future. I explained how his behavior during the crisis had affected me and the kids. He listened, finally understanding the gravity of the situation. It wasn’t an easy conversation, but it was necessary.

We sought counseling and worked through our issues, but I made it clear that things had to change. I couldn’t continue to shoulder all the responsibility alone. Slowly, he began to step up, taking on more duties around the house and being more present for the kids.

The hurricane had been a turning point in our lives. It tested our marriage and my strength as a mother. I emerged from it knowing that I could face any storm, both literal and metaphorical, with courage and resilience. And while my husband and I still had a long way to go, the experience had set us on a path of understanding and growth.