Unnamed Speaker 6

Sadly, domestic abuse was not new to Leslie. Growing up, she witnessed her mother and other women in her family endure abuse. And even at one point thought that's just what a relationship was.

Sadly, domestic abuse was not new to Leslie. Growing up, she witnessed her mother and other women in her family endure abuse. And even at one point thought that's just what a relationship was.

Leslie did everything she could to shield her kids from the abuse she experienced with their fathers. She didn't want that to affect their relationships with them. For that reason, Leslie sometimes sent the kids away to stay at their grandmother's house for a few days so her injuries could heal. She was embarrassed and ashamed, and she didn't want anyone to know what was going on.

Leslie did everything she could to shield her kids from the abuse she experienced with their fathers. She didn't want that to affect their relationships with them. For that reason, Leslie sometimes sent the kids away to stay at their grandmother's house for a few days so her injuries could heal. She was embarrassed and ashamed, and she didn't want anyone to know what was going on.

After years and years of accepting the cycle of abuse she was born into, she was ready to finally take control.

After years and years of accepting the cycle of abuse she was born into, she was ready to finally take control.

And Leslie did find that something better. That's after the break.

And Leslie did find that something better. That's after the break.

Leslie met her husband Louis at Straub's. They worked there together. Belinda remembers that time fondly.

Leslie met her husband Louis at Straub's. They worked there together. Belinda remembers that time fondly.

To tell the story properly, though, we have to go back to the beginning. It all began before Louis' job at Straub's even started.

To tell the story properly, though, we have to go back to the beginning. It all began before Louis' job at Straub's even started.

Leslie was not used to that kind of attention. Someone incapable of looking away when she was nearby? For that reason, she vividly remembers Louis' first day of work. She was, as usual, at the deli where things got busy at lunchtime.

Leslie was not used to that kind of attention. Someone incapable of looking away when she was nearby? For that reason, she vividly remembers Louis' first day of work. She was, as usual, at the deli where things got busy at lunchtime.

And they stayed happy. So they talked about taking things to the next level.

And they stayed happy. So they talked about taking things to the next level.

Well, those three years passed by and Lewis didn't forget what they agreed on. He was ready to do something about it.

Well, those three years passed by and Lewis didn't forget what they agreed on. He was ready to do something about it.

Because it was a courthouse wedding, Leslie and Louis talked about eventually having a reception, throwing a big party to actually celebrate. What they didn't know is that three months later, Mike would be murdered and everything would change. It's been more than 10 years and they still haven't celebrated that special day. Two weeks after Leslie and Louis tied the knot, Mike Mike turned 18.

Because it was a courthouse wedding, Leslie and Louis talked about eventually having a reception, throwing a big party to actually celebrate. What they didn't know is that three months later, Mike would be murdered and everything would change. It's been more than 10 years and they still haven't celebrated that special day. Two weeks after Leslie and Louis tied the knot, Mike Mike turned 18.