After initial examination of the evidence, the Judge granted me a temporary restraining order against Keller in early December. My lawyer explained that Keller and I would need to appear before the Judge and we could each plead our case. After that, the Judge would issue his final verdict – either granting the restraining order or throwing it out. Our court date was set for December 23, 2019.
My lawyer and I prepared for court. He asked me questions and I answered them just like I would before the Judge. I was still very nervous even though we talked through how the whole process would likely go. We didn’t know if Keller would show up for court so we prepared a few different strategies. Even though Keller lived on the other side of the country, my lawyer wanted me to prepare as if Keller would show up at the courthouse. He told me to make sure Gideon was not at my house until after the Judge issued a verdict. He wanted to make sure Gideon was protected just in case. I made arrangements for my sisters to take Gideon and stay in a public place.
A few days before our court date, I received an email from Keller. He asked me not to go through with the restraining order and said he wanted to move on with his life. Was that him giving up? That email was in direct violation of the temporary restraining order the Judge had issued in early December.
Keller had held going to court over my head. He had told me numerous times that no Judge would take my side. What if he were right and the Judge threw out my restraining order request? I knew how charming Keller was. I knew how convincing Keller could be. What if the Judge agreed with Keller and thought I was just being dramatic and unreasonable? What if Keller was successful in making me look like a monster for keeping Gideon away from him? What if this all spiralled out of control and they took Gideon from me? Keller had told me if I pursued a restraining order, he wouldn’t adhere to it. Was this even worth it if it wasn’t going to do any good? Would getting a restraining order against Keller backfire and make everything worse? My mind kept swirling with “what ifs” and all of the worst possible scenarios.
December 23rd finally came. It was raining and cold that morning. I was nervous, but also just wanted to get court over with. When we arrived at the courthouse, an officer told me they had a secure room I could wait in if needed since I wasn’t sure Keller would show up or not. The officer was betting Keller would not show up since he lived across the country.
We filed into the courtroom and the Judge entered the room. It wasn’t like the movies at all – the courtroom was packed with a bunch of people waiting for their turn to sit before the Judge. There were 2 tables – one for the plaintiff and one for the defendant. No one sat up by the Judge while the lawyer walked around the courtroom asking questions.
My case was called first. Keller did not show up to court. My heart was racing as I walked up and sat next to my lawyer. I was trying to stay calm as he started asking me questions, but my voice was shaky. My lawyer asked a few questions about mine and Keller’s relationship and then he asked me how many emails I had received from Keller. I answered that I had received over 2500 emails. At this time, the Judge broke in and asked me to repeat my answer. The Judge sat straight up, began flipping through my written statement, and started asking me questions himself. The Judge said he could hear how afraid I was in my voice. I was granted a multi-year restraining order against Keller. Gideon was also protected in that restraining order. That was it. It was all over. The whole court case lasted 5 minutes.
I was emotionally exhausted. I felt a mixture of relief and sadness. It was done, but I never wanted it to get to the point of needing a restraining order in the first place. I still wasn’t sure if Keller would actually adhere to the restraining order, but that wasn’t my problem. At least now there would be legal ramifications for breaking it.
That all happened a year ago almost to the day. It’s hard to believe it was that long ago. Looking back I can see God’s hand of protection on me and Gideon in numerous ways.
To this day, Keller has not contacted me again since the restraining order was issued last year. I never thought that would be the case.
Through God’s timing, I was able to get a multi-year restraining order. I had never heard of a restraining order lasting longer than a year. After hearing countless stories about other people seeking protection, I still have not heard one that was granted a multi-year restraining order.
I have been free to go about my life without having to live in fear of what might come next.
I still have my moments of panic. As I’ve been thinking about the 1 year anniversary of going to court, I have been having nightmares about Keller suddenly coming back into our lives. I am so thankful that I have a few more years before that scenario is possible. I cannot imagine if I only had 1 year.
Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I don’t know how all of this will end with Keller. Maybe this is the end of the story or maybe it isn’t. I do know that God is my Hope and He has provided peace and joy for me through this journey and He will continue to do so. It’s my job to trust Him and walk in obedience to what He says to do.
Love,
Redeemed Mama