A woman celebrated her divorce by burning her wedding dress and telling her ex she's "the best he will ever have". Lauren Brooke, 31, was married to her former partner for 10 years after tying the knot in October 2012.
Lauren split with her ex-husband in September 2021 but by law where they live had to be separated for a year and a day before they could file for a divorce. After the divorce was completed in January 2023, Lauren, alongside her mum, Felicia Bowman, 58, and best friend wanted to do an "empowering" photoshoot to mark the occasion.
Lauren, a banker, said: "The intent was to show the fact that divorce is hard, ugly and painful for all parties involved. There were days when every morning I would wake up and cry.
"There were times when I thought my life wouldn't improve, but it has. We are getting divorced but we have to work with each other for the rest of our lives to bring up our children.
"I survived it, I came out onto the other side. I don't cry in the morning when I wake up anymore. I am in a better place."
After her ex-husband filed for divorce in October 2022, Lauren thought her "life was over "and was left in a dark place.
Lauren said: "Life happens. People make choices and sometimes people have to live with no consequences. My intent with the separation was that I wanted to work it out, but that did not happen. I said 'if this does not work out if I am in pain, I will make light of it' and we did."
Subscribe here for the latest news where you live
The photoshoot took place in March in Lauren's back garden. She said the shoot was "spontaneous" and "last minute". Her mum, Felicia Bowman, 58, who is a photographer, took the photos and her best friend, who is a videographer, filmed the shoot.
Lauren, from Cherryville, North Carolina, US, said: "There were lots of laughs that day. I am terrified of fire and they are lighting the dress on fire with me in it.
"I felt empowered. I was worried that there might be a moment when I was sad. It is the end of the marriage that I thought I would have forever. You are grieving the loss of the relationship, but I didn't, it was fun."
The shoot took an hour and Lauren can be seen stamping on wedding pictures, ripping her dress up and setting it on fire.
The mum of two said: "I am very happy now. The only reason where I am today is because of my faith. You will get through the other side.
"A lot of women are shamed for divorce but men seem to be congratulated for it. We are told that no matter what we are supposed to stay and keep our family together, but many women struggle with it. We should not be made to feel ashamed."
