MAFS: Jamie Shares How Her Mom’s Marriage Shaped Her Views on Divorce
Jamie Otis, star of Married at First Sight, recently shared an update on her and Doug Hehner's journey and the impact her mother's marriage with her step-father has had on her relationship with Doug. Jamie and Doug have been one of the most determined Married at First Sight couples over the last seven-and-a-half years. The couple has always been frank about the emotional ups and downs throughout their marriage.
In 2014, Jamie and Doug appeared on Married at First Sight and have been managing a multitude of obstacles in their relationship ever since. Some of the struggles they encountered early in their relationship were to be expected from a dating experiment. The couple shared an uncomfortable wedding, during which Jamie felt no initial attraction to Doug. Determined to make it work despite the tearful event, Jamie and Doug worked on becoming friends before starting a family. Other troubles the couple has had to overcome have been much more unexpected than the typical bouts of cold feet brought on by a blind marriage. Jamie and Doug happily announced that they were expecting in 2016, but Jamie suffered a tragic miscarriage shortly afterwards. The couple later welcomed their daughter, Henley Grace, into the world in 2017 and had their son, Hendrix Douglass, in 2020.
In a recent Instagram post, Jamie shared details about how her mother's tumultuous relationship with her step-father has informed her family's journey and included a video of the couple dancing to Lady Gaga’s "The Cure," revealing a list titled, “Suggestions from our therapist.” The list included the advice like “have fun” and “be vulnerable,” as well as tips that may address some of Jamie and Doug's past communication issues. The video concluded with the phrase “Challenge Accepted” appearing on-screen. In the caption, Jamie explained that the couple accepts the challenge “not just for the kids” but also for each other. Jamie stated that her mother never divorced her step-father despite his abusive behavior in an effort “to avoid the stigma that's associated with divorce." She feels there should be no stigma regarding divorce.
Jamie continued the post by saying she is “beyond thankful and blessed” to be married to Doug, explaining that he makes her feel safe and has been making an effort to listen as well as attend couples therapy. Jamie added that she has “always kept divorce on the table as an option” but is actively choosing to be with Doug just as she has in the past. Jamie concluded the heartfelt post on a positive note with an update on her therapist's recommendations to set aside 30 minutes a day to talk without mentioning work or their children, and asked, “Serious question: What the heck do you talk about after being married a few years if it can't involve work or your kids?!”
Jamie has shown a tremendous amount of bravery in her constant willingness to share some of the more traumatic details of her life. Her decision to speak out against the stigma of divorce and the negative impact it can have on families is an important one. Jamie and Doug have not had a perfect marriage, but their choice to remain resilient and continue moving forward in the face of heartbreaking challenges is inspiring. The couple's devotion to bettering themselves seems to be just as crucial to their marriage as acknowledging their free will to leave at any time if necessary.
Married at First Sight airs Wednesdays at 8pm on Lifetime.
Source: Jamie Otis/Instagram