Amy’s Story: Beauty for Ashes Realized
To read the previous part of Amy’s story, visit here.
“It’s hard to believe I’m here, writing the final chapter of this story—the chapter I once thought would never come.”
If you’ve followed along, you know that Paul and I went through a long season of heartbreak, separation, and a painful divorce. But here’s the thing about God: He doesn’t let the story end there.
After everything we had been through—the divorce, the time apart, the hurt we caused each other—Paul and I finally reached a point where we could sit down and truly listen. For the first time in what felt like forever, Paul soberly heard my side of the story without the noise of his addiction or the voices of others clouding his mind. It was just the two of us—raw and honest—finally seeing each other again through the eyes of grace.
As we spent more time together, something unexpected happened: we rekindled the love we had first found back in 2020. Paul fell in love with our son, Harris, too. He admitted that missing the first six months of Harris’s life was one of the hardest things he had ever gone through. But the beautiful part of this story is that God’s grace isn’t just about restoring what’s lost—it’s about building something new from the ashes.
In April, Paul took a break from filming and spent a full month with us. During that time, we made a big decision—we were going to get remarried.
We celebrated Harris’s first birthday together, and for the first time in so long, I could see beauty rising from the ashes of our brokenness.
Beauty for Ashes
On May 14, 2022, Paul and I remarried. It was just us and our son. It wasn’t a flashy ceremony, but it was perfect. That date will always be etched in my heart, not just because we became husband and wife again, but because it marked the moment God said, “This is not the end.”
We looked back at Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs, whose story on I Am Second gave us hope when we had none. If God could restore their marriage after seven years, He could do it for us too. Now, we get to be living proof that God is still in the business of restoration.
In the summer of 2022, we found out we were pregnant again. On April 1, 2023, we welcomed our second son, Jonah—a name that reminds us that no matter how far we run, God never stops pursuing us.
Jonah’s birth felt like a fresh start—a new beginning for our family. Yes, there are moments we can never get back. But now, we live in a season where God’s redemption is evident in every part of our lives.
A New Beginning
Today, our life looks a lot different than it did before. We’ve built strong foundations—not just in our marriage, but in our individual walks with God.
In July 2025, we welcomed our daughter, Isla Grace—a name that perfectly captures the peace and grace that now fill our home. Isla, meaning “island,” reminds us of the stillness and refuge we’ve found in God’s presence, and Grace is the covering that has carried us through every season.
When she was born, it felt like the Lord whispered, “This is the completion of what I began.”
With Isla’s arrival, our family became complete—a family of five, built not on perfection, but on promise.
Every time I look at her, I’m reminded that God doesn’t just restore—He multiplies. He brings peace after the storm, joy after mourning, and beauty beyond anything we could have imagined.
Paul has surrounded himself with accountability partners—men who will come kick down the door if he’s not doing well. He’s in a program that helps him stay sober, and we both prioritize our mental and spiritual health.
We also make sure to take care of each other. Date nights have become a priority—whether it’s once a week or every ten days. Sometimes we’ll do a morning date: get brunch, read scripture, talk about God, and dream about the future. We’ve learned that God breathes life into everything, even the small moments.
Here’s the thing about God: He takes what’s broken and makes it beautiful. Our marriage was shattered, and there were moments when I thought it was beyond repair. But piece by piece, God put us back together. He restored our love, healed our family, and gave us a new beginning.
The world would have said our marriage was dead, but God had other plans.
He breathed life back into us and gave us something far greater than I ever imagined.
And for that, I will always be thankful.
The read more about Paul’s day-to-day journey, advice, and fun like “What it’s like being married to an Actor”, head here.
The 61 Exchange
The 61 Exchange was born out of this very story—a place where people can exchange their ashes for beauty, their sorrow for joy, and their despair for hope.
My prayer is that when people hear my story, they don’t just see Paul and me—they see the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.
Because no matter how far gone a situation seems, no one is ever too far from His reach.
He is still writing stories of redemption.
He is still turning ashes into beauty.
And He is still making all things new.
“To give them beauty for ashes…” — Isaiah 61:3
