Divorced Couple Rekindle Marriage After Overcoming Postpartum Infidelity

Love stories that defy expectations can be the very best kind—and Megan Starling's story is no exception. Starling, 33, has gone viral on TikTok for sharing how she and her ex-husband not only overcame postpartum depression and infidelity, but also found their way back to each other. Videos in her series on the topic of getting back together have received up to nearly 700,000 views. She spoke to Newsweek about the forces that drove her and her ex apart—and the love that brought them closer than ever. Starling said she and her ex-husband had been married for several years before parting ways due to a rocky period when she struggled with postpartum depression after having their son during the COVID-19 pandemic. As she focused on motherhood, her husband felt neglected, which led to infidelity—a situation that would ultimately change their lives forever.

"Our divorce was rooted in deep personal struggles," Starling said. "After having a baby during COVID, I experienced postpartum depression and anxiety, which I didn't recognize at the time. While prioritizing motherhood, and not our marriage, he felt unappreciated and made the choice to cheat." Despite the betrayal, though, the separation allowed for some important healing to be done. "The separation forced us both to grow individually, as there was no intention of reconciliation at the time," she said. Starling committed to therapy and focused on improving her mental health. She developed a solid gym routine and learned to love herself again. "I tried to forgive many times, but subconsciously, I wasn't ready," she said. "I dated someone else after two years apart, but it didn't work out. Eventually, I realized I wasn't bitter and could discuss the situation calmly. That's when I understood true forgiveness."

The journey back together

Reconciliation began when both Starling and her ex-husband realized they were not quite done yet. "What inspired us to start reconciling was that after growing, maturing and healing, we realized we still had love for each other," Starling said. "Being constantly around each other due to our small child also played a role. We found that we could communicate without the same level of hurt." With that, they worked on their relationship by having difficult conversations, setting boundaries and attending couple's counseling. Now, while they reap the benefits of their work, they simultaneously make a more comfortable home for their child. Starling explained how their son, who was aged 1 when they first started the divorce process, has benefited from their decision to reunite. "Our journey back together has positively impacted our child," she said. " He's thriving more than ever and has adjusted well to us being under one roof. It's made parenting much easier since we can each play our roles without the need to shift back and forth between houses." Starling said the couple recently moved back in together, and they're planning to get remarried. But they're taking their time to make sure they're on the same page before taking that big step. "We want to make sure that we are on the same page in all facets," Starling said. Despite the challenges, she said she and her ex-husband have come to understand the importance of healing and personal growth. "It is important to remember that healing is not linear, and we do have times that we get triggered, but communication and empathy are extremely important during that time," Starling said. "Our journey has shown us how crucial it is that you address your trauma head-on. The healing process must be for yourself and not for anyone else... This personal growth is what allows us to truly thrive and rebuild our relationship on a stronger foundation."