Here I Are

Anatomy of a Marriage

By: Alex Belth, Emily Shapiro

Narrated by: Alex Belth, Emily Shapiro

What happens when the person you love has serious chronic illness? What happens to the love itself?

In this searing and poignant memoir, Alex Belth and Emily J. Shapiro delve deep into their relationship history, what they brought to their marriage, and what remains. At first glance, it seems the biggest challenge they face is Emily’s chronic illness - and the impact that’s had on their life as a couple. But her medical conditions aren’t the only thing that set the relationship on a precipice. When they start to work through their issues, it prompts a closer examination of Alex and the ways his needs and personal history challenge their partnership. Through candid and honest storytelling, Alex and Emily peel back the many layers of complexity that both form and threaten their bond.

By turns funny and heartbreaking, Here I Are will resonate with anyone who’s ever been in love. To appreciate this journey, you need not have serious illness, you need only have a heart.

©2021 Alex Belth and Emily Shapiro (P)2022 Audible Originals, LLC.

A brave couple telling a deeply personal story

There's no artifice or evasion in the story these folks tell. They give context to their relationship from bginning to end, and tell the personal and intense story of how a relationship (and a marriage) evolves. Everywhere in the presentation you have the feeling that Alex and Emily are telling hard-won truths, straight up.

Very affecting.

So Proud

I am the mother of Emily Shapiro and I want to say how proud I am of Emily and Alex because of their commitment to each other, their commitment to their own personal growth, and their decision to share their intimate story in the hope that it will help others. I have had a front row seat, of course, in Emily's life and listening to this audible was heavy in parts for me to relive.
But they have spun life's challenges into gold by making this audiobook. Bless them and bless all who listen to it. Everyone gains.

A love story of true partnership filled with patience and pain, laughter and humor, understanding and selflessness.

Chronic illness may be the theme but this story is all about love. Alex and Emily open up their life and their world with no censorship as to privacy allowing the listener to truly understand the trials and tribulations one must go through when living with another who has an illness. I learned more from their anecdotes then what one could find from doing their own research.
Thank you for sharing and letting us in. This is a must listen for anyone who knows of someone just beginning a life with another that may have a chronic illness.
J LP.

5stars

Alex and Emily generously show us that seals can be seals, and seals can be impromptu floornaps and a mess of stairs. And love can be a mess of stairs, and love.

Fascinating Deep Dive into a Couple's Journey

From the beginning, I found myself drawn into the kind of "his and hers" format that allows both of these dynamic people to talk about the evolution of their relationship. Their bond is challenged almost from the outset, thanks to chronic illness at a young age, and all of the heartache and frustrations that this encompasses. Even when you know the outcome of this pair, you find yourself rooting for them as they both recount their separate experiences of coming together while coming to terms with the notion that life does not always play out in the neat little package they might've envisioned. One can't help but come away with a deep respect for what these two people who love one another so immensely must confront, and how sometimes the most powerful thing to do is to just "show up." Highly recommend!