“I really never thought I would get divorced. Especially not just after giving birth to my first child and especially not in the shadow of my husband’s new relationship with a celebrity.”

Jay recounted the transformative experience of becoming a mother, describing her son’s arrival as a moment of unparalleled relief and joy. “When my baby was first placed on my chest, still tethered to me by his umbilical cord, I sobbed with relief. We had done it. He had arrived,” she shared.

After surviving preeclampsia, a life-threatening birth complication, she believed her family was finally whole. But the months following her son’s birth marked the beginning of an unexpected unraveling.

Despite her understanding of how vulnerable marriages can be in the postpartum period, Jay said she “confidently moved to another country with my 2-month-old baby and my husband to support his career.” However, amid the magic and mundanity of new motherhood, she admitted, “I didn’t understand the growing distance between us.”

Over time, Jay shared that she has come to believe that even without the life she envisioned with her high-school sweetheart, a future filled with joy and sweetness awaits her and her child.

“Days with my son are sunny,” she emphasized, but darker moments emerge when reminders of her ex-husband’s life resurface. “Days when I can’t escape the promotion of a movie associated with the saddest days of my life are darker.”

Despite the challenges, Jay emphasized that their mutual love for their child remains a steadfast source of strength. She explained that while their partnership has evolved, their role as parents has not, with both continuing to love their son wholeheartedly, regardless of how their parenting time is shared.

She noted that her anonymity at the Children’s Hospital had once served as a shield from difficult conversations with her patients, but the exposure of her private life brought new challenges tied to her unexpected visibility.

The public exposure brought professional challenges, including the loss of a job offer and the vanishing of potential patients after another tabloid cycle. “It’s hard to measure an absence, and I can’t say for sure how much my career has been impacted by what’s out there online,” Jay revealed.

Despite her doubts, Jay chose to view her vulnerability as a potential strength rather than a weakness, noting that being seen as vulnerable could serve as a point of connection rather than a professional drawback.

Dr. Jay reflected on the inherent strength of those navigating similar struggles. “Knowing what you now know, I can say with both personal and professional authority, you are so much stronger than you assume.”

Jay also encouraged readers to hold onto the qualities they cherish most in others, reminding them, “Some of what you loved most about your partner was actually your own goodness reflected back to you; it’s yours to keep and carry forward.”

She concluded with a poignant call to release fear and embrace the future. “I’d tell you (and myself) to let go of the worries — our anxious minds are creative but not particularly good guessers about the future.”

Jay’s essay has sparked an emotional response online. Many readers expressed their admiration and empathy for her story, while others criticized Slater.

Another reflected, “‘Days when I can’t escape the promotion of a movie associated with the saddest days of my life are darker’ — this line. Oof [sic], I can’t imagine.”

“Me too. Reading this made me cry thinking how broken I would feel if I were in her shoes,” a third user added. “So upsetting 😔,” commented another. One more user praised Jay’s resilience, “What an amazing woman. I felt such sadness reading this but it was also so empowering. She’s gone through so much. Dr. Lilly Jay you are incredible.”

On X, a user simply remarked, “that piece from ethan slater’s ex wife is a devastating read wow [sic].”

Slater, born on June 2, 1992, in Washington, D.C., is an actor and writer known for his work in “The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!” (2019), “Fosse/Verdon” (2019), and “Wicked” (2024).

Slater’s role in “Wicked” places him alongside stars like Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Michelle Yeoh, with the story exploring the bond between Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman, and Glinda, a popular girl at Shiz University.

By September 2023, Slater and Grande stepped out publicly as a couple, choosing Walt Disney World as their first public outing together. TMZ reported that they tried to remain inconspicuous, donning hats and hoodies, but fans quickly noticed them strolling arm in arm.

A source close to Grande revealed that the couple was “really happy together” and “really good for each other,” with the “Into You” singer’s friends expressing approval of the relationship.

While Slater and Grande’s relationship continues to make headlines, Dr. Jay’s reflections focus on her journey through motherhood, career challenges, and resilience, resonating with readers who have shared their empathy and support for her story.