The Road Back Home—Part 4
Restoration and Renewal
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. In the final part of my journey, I want to share how God brought restoration and renewal into our lives, taking what was broken and making it beautiful again.
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.
Beauty from Ashes
As we spent more time together, something unexpected happened: we rekindled the love we had first found 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 done. That time is something he can never get back, and it’s a pain that still weighs on him today. 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. It was 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 the beauty rising from the ashes of our brokenness. There we were, taking family pictures, holding our son, and beginning to feel the weight of healing that only God could provide.
What I learned during that time was that real change doesn’t come from grand gestures. Paul didn’t need to do backflips to win me back. He didn’t need to make huge promises or extravagant declarations. What he needed to do was communicate—to own what he had done wrong and work toward reconciliation. And that’s exactly what he did.
All Things New
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. The 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.”
I remember looking back at a couple who had inspired us: Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs. They shared their story on I Am Second, and I remember Googling their names, thinking, “If God can restore their marriage after seven years, He can do it for us too.” That testimony gave us so much hope, and now, we get to be living proof that God is still in the business of restoration.
In the summer of 2022, Paul and I found out we were pregnant again. On April 1, 2023, we welcomed another Hauser boy into the world. His name is Jonah, a name with deep meaning for us. The story of Jonah in the Bible is about a man who runs from God, but no matter how far he runs, God never stops pursuing him.
We chose that name because it represents so much of our journey. No matter how far Paul ran, no matter how much I struggled to hold everything together, God never gave up on us. He was always there, chasing us down, bringing us back to Him, and restoring what was broken.
Jonah’s birth felt like a fresh start—a new beginning for our family. Yes, we have moments that were taken from us, 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. There are days when Paul and I look at each other and smile, marveling at the life we now get to live. A life that was once in pieces is now more beautiful than I ever imagined.
I am beyond grateful for where we are now. Paul and I are more in love than ever, and our family is thriving. But what I’ve come to realize is that none of this would have been possible without full surrender to God. It wasn’t about what Paul or I wanted anymore—it was about aligning our lives with God’s will.
For the longest time, Paul saw God as this ancient taskmaster, expecting perfection and doling out punishment. But now, we both understand that God is a loving Father who looks at us with nothing but adoration. We are His children, created on purpose, and He’s willing to do whatever it takes to bring us back to Him.
Life Today
Today, our life looks a lot different than it did before. We’ve built strong foundations—not just in our marriage but also in our individual walks with God. 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, have devotions, talk about God, and dream about the future. What we’ve learned is 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.
Watch Part 4 of our I Am Second Story
Thank you for walking through this journey with me. My prayer is that our story reminds you that no matter how broken things may seem, God is always at work, ready to bring beauty from the ashes.