Full text of tonight's statement by Jenny Sanford - a trial separation
I would like to start by saying I love my husband and I believe I have put forth every effort possible to be the best wife I can be during our almost twenty years of marriage.
As well, for the last fifteen years my husband has been fully engaged in public service to the citizens and taxpayers of this state and I have faithfully supported him in those efforts to the best of my ability. I have been and remain proud of his accomplishments and his service to this state.
I personally believe that the greatest legacy I will leave behind in this world is not the job I held on Wall Street, or the campaigns I managed for Mark, or the work I have done as first lady or even the philanthropic activities in which I have been routinely engaged.
Instead, the greatest legacy I will leave in this world is the character of the children I, or we, leave behind. It is for that reason that I deeply regret the recent actions of my husband, Mark, and their potential damage to our children.
I believe wholeheartedly in the sanctity, dignity and importance of the institution of marriage. I believe that has been consistently reflected in my actions. When I found out about my husband's infidelity I worked immediately to first seek reconciliation through forgiveness, and then to work diligently to repair our marriage.
We reached a point where I felt it was important to look my sons in the eyes and maintain my dignity, self-respect, and my basic sense of right and wrong. I therefore asked my husband to leave two weeks ago.
This trial separation was agreed to with the goal of ultimately strengthening our marriage. During this short separation it was agreed that Mark would not contact us.
I kept this separation quiet out of respect of his public office and reputation, and in hopes of keeping our children from just this type of public exposure. Because of this separation, I did not know where he was in the past week.
I believe enduring love is primarily a commitment and an act of will, and for a marriage to be successful, that commitment must be reciprocal. I believe Mark has earned a chance to resurrect our marriage.
Psalm 127 states that sons are a gift from the Lord and children a reward from him. I will continue to pour my energy into raising our sons to be honorable young men. I remain willing to forgive Mark completely for his indiscretions and to welcome him back, in time, if he continues to work toward reconciliation with a true spirit of humility and repentance.
This is a very painful time for us and I would humbly request now that members of the media respect the privacy of my boys and me as we struggle together to continue on with our lives and as I seek the wisdom of Solomon, the strength and patience of Job and the grace of God in helping to heal my family. ###
The Mark Sanford Affair: Its naked political effect
Text of Gov. Mark Sanford affair confession
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Photo credits: Associated Press (Jenny Sanford); Office of Gov. Mark Sanford.
Why would anyone even sleep with this guy? He looks like the 40-Year-Old Virgin!
Don't cry for me, Argentina! :P
Posted by: JewelD | June 25, 2009 at 12:03 AM
To depersonalize this comment, and remove it from this particular occurrence, I ask whether some religious people may anticipate "asking to be forgiven" by a spouse who embraces the Christian poliicy of "forgiving." Part of that is "hate the sin but not the sinner." Unless wives with minor children are personally wealthy or have strong support networks, they have little choice but to "forgive." The word "mistress" should have the first syllable stressed, as in "distress."
Posted by: aura Veirs | June 25, 2009 at 12:30 AM
wow, this woman sure seems to have her act together!
Posted by: dave b | June 25, 2009 at 02:55 AM
Lady, YOU are a nut case!!! Quotin' from the Good book while Mister is off chasing Argentinean beef? He is nothing more than a horndog, will always be a horndog and you'd do right to be shed of him...sheesh!
Posted by: Patkeepsie391 | June 25, 2009 at 04:01 AM
To each his own.
Posted by: info | June 25, 2009 at 01:52 PM
Why do disgraced celebrities voluntarily engage in these perp walks with the media and fan the flames of the inferno? If I was one of these folks, I'd draw the shades, not answer the door--not court public approbation, and ridicule at ill-advised press conferences to "explain" or ask for forgiveness. Weird.
Posted by: anotherwhiner | June 26, 2009 at 03:32 PM