“Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast member Sheree Whitfield has come back this season with a bang. She looks absolutely amazing and seems to have her house (aka chateau) in order; the only thing missing is that significant other that most of us long for when we visualize the perfect life. The only consistent romantic interest in Whitfield’s storyline has been her ex-husband Bob, so it was no surprise when she announced this season that the two were going to give love one more try.
Viewers weren’t supportive for the couple’s first awkward date earlier in the season, but things came to a screeching halt on episode 16 when Bob joked inappropriately about a domestic violence episode in the couple’s past. “I can’t remember if I choked you before … could you still breath? … Well, maybe I didn’t choke you hard enough,” Bob joked. Sheree immediately teared up at the memory and the entire group experienced an uncomfortable moment no doubt shared with the television audience witnessing the interaction.
Sheree immediately teared up at the memory and the entire group experienced an uncomfortable moment no doubt shared with the television audience witnessing the interaction.
Before you go throwing stones at Sheree for looking backwards, I think it’s not unreasonable to assume that most of us have contemplated returning to a love that’s familiar as opposed to braving the unknown and dating with the hopes of finding someone new. Often when we look backwards, we focus on the good times that we enjoyed and downplay the bad. Most importantly, familiarity is one of the biggest sources of comfort, and being with someone who already knows you feels a lot like cuddling up with your favorite used comforter at night.
Although that familiarity feels amazing, what is often overlooked is the very reason you discarded that relationship in the first place.
In Sheree’s case, the fact that Bob is ignorant to the fact that domestic violence is not a joking matter is a glaring red flag. Thankfully, Sheree confessed later on the show that she realized Bob was no longer an option after the episode and claims she is moving on. I hope that she will have the courage to do just that and not look back.
