Married At First Sight’s Martha Kalifatidis recently revealed the horror story behind a car accident that resulted in the death of her cousin.
Martha, 30, was just 16 when she went on a “joy ride” with her cousin George, 19. Despite the fact that he was sober that night, their car tragically hit a tree resulting in a terrible accident that took George’s life.
“It wasn’t until an hour-and-a-half later that I was cut free using the jaws of life. I was very lucky to be alive,” the Greek beauty told Honey. The wreck left Martha unable to walk.
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Describing how she recovered from the emotional trauma and “several operations,” Martha says she suffered melancholy during her teens and early twenties.
“I missed a lot of school. I felt lost and didn’t have much direction until I was a lot older. While all my friends were having sweet sixteenths and going out on first dates, I was learning to walk again”
Martha says the ordeal gave her a new understanding and appreciation for life adding that she’s in a much better place today. A major factor behind her happiness is her ‘husband’ P.E. teacher Michael, who she’s already told ‘I love you’. Revealing on Talking Married that the romantic exchange actually happened via text message when they were lying next to each other in bed.
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This article originally appeared on Instyle.