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cover of episode Thanksgiving With My Wife and Girlfriend

Thanksgiving With My Wife and Girlfriend

2024/11/20
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Modern Love
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Anna Martin
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Townsend Davis
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Anna Martin作为访谈者，引导Townsend Davis讲述了他妻子Bridget患上早发性阿尔茨海默病后，如何一边照顾妻子，一边发展与新女友Deb的感情，以及他们如何将妻子和女友都融入家庭生活的故事。访谈中，Townsend Davis详细描述了妻子病情发展的过程，以及他内心的挣扎和矛盾。他坦诚地分享了他与妻子、女友和家人的相处模式，以及他如何平衡家庭责任和个人感情。 Townsend Davis讲述了他与妻子Bridget从相识到结婚，再到妻子患病后的生活变化。他描述了妻子患病初期症状的出现，以及他们最终确诊为早发性阿尔茨海默病的过程。他分享了在照顾患病妻子的过程中，他所面临的挑战和孤独感，以及他如何克服这些困难。他还讲述了他与新女友Deb相遇、相恋的过程，以及他如何处理与妻子和女友的关系。他详细描述了第一次邀请Deb参加家庭感恩节聚会的经历，以及聚会中发生的令人动容的细节。最后，他表达了他对妻子、女友和孩子的感激之情，以及他对未来的期许。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter describes Bridget's unique personality and unconventional wedding, highlighting her love for Thanksgiving and her later passion for cartooning. It sets the stage for the challenges faced later in their marriage.
  • Bridget's wedding was on a lake, she arrived by speedboat, barefoot, and wearing a dress made the day before.
  • Bridget loved Thanksgiving and viewed it as a way to expand her family and social circle.
  • Bridget's later life passion was creating cartoons, often depicting her family as animals.

Shownotes Transcript

Townsend Davis had been married for more than a decade when his wife, Brigid, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Their lives changed immediately. Townsend became Brigid’s caregiver, sorting her medication day after day, making their home accessible, and finding someone to look after her while he worked and raised their sons. He was committed to Brigid, and wanted to be there for her as her condition progressed.

One day, not long after her diagnosis, Brigid told Townsend she wanted him eventually to find a new partner. But Townsend couldn’t imagine it. Searching for another love seemed too complicated, and he was focused on caring for Brigid and raising their family.

Then, years later, Townsend met Deb.

On this episode of Modern Love, Townsend explains what it was like to forge a new partnership as he remained married to Brigid, and what happened when he brought his wife and his girlfriend together for a Thanksgiving dinner.

This episode is adapted from Townsend’s Modern Love essay from 2024, "A Family Dinner With My Wife and Girlfriend)."

Modern Love is looking for your stories! We’re working on an episode about the dating memories you want to forget. We want to know: What was the worst date you went on this year? What happened? And what are you trying to do differently when it comes to love in the new year? Whether you’re singled or partnered, tell us about your bad dates. Send us your story by recording a voice memo and emailing it to [email protected]. Please include your name and where you’re based. You might hear your voice on a future episode of Modern Love.

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