Did you realize at the altar that you shouldn't get married?

It was one of those at-the-altar realizations that no bride, bouquet in hand and groom at her side, wants to have. But there Ilina Ewen was, moments away from her "I do" with the "I don't!" screaming silently in her head.

With her family and his family and good intentions and the best hopes, she followed through with the vows and went ahead with a marriage that she didn't believe she should be in. Although her husband and her parents had the appearances of being proper, respectful people, they proved her right with racist, unkind remarks. Ilina wanted out.

And she got out, sacrificing possessions and money for a quick exit from the marriage she says should never have been. The courage to leave at all costs changed Ilina and led her to an unexpected man, a family, and a home she hadn't even dreamed of the first time around.

Ilina explains how her reinvention began, a bride at the altar years ago, how she's ramped her own life since then, and her tips for other women facing a crisis of marital proportions.







What went through your mind at the altar? Did you have any "oh, no!" thoughts?

Has your own life makeover begun with a not-so-great marriage?




The You. Reinvented. specialists featured on Shine were given FlipCams to film their personal stories. Participating Motherboard bloggers were compensated additionally to participate.