A woman celebrated her divorce by burning her wedding dress and telling her ex she's "the best he will ever have".<br /><br />Lauren Brooke, 31, was married to her former partner for 10 years after tying the knot in October 2012.<br /><br />Lauren split with her ex-husband in September 2021 but by law had to be separated for a year and a day before they could file for a divorce in parts of the US.<br /><br />After the divorce was completed in January 2023, Lauren, alongside her mum, Felicia Bowman, 58, and best friend wanted to do an "empowering" photoshoot to mark the occasion.<br /><br />Lauren, a banker, from Cherryville, North Carolina, US, said: "The intent was to show the fact that divorce is hard, ugly and painful for all parties involved.<br /><br />"There were days when every morning I would wake up and cry.<br /><br />"There were times when I thought my life wouldn't improve, but it has.<br /><br />"We are getting divorced but we have to work with each other for the rest of our lives to bring up our children.<br /><br />"I survived it, I came out onto the other side. I don't cry in the morning when I wake up anymore.<br /><br />"I am in a better place."<br /><br />After her ex-husband filed for divorce in October 2022, Lauren thought her "life was over "and was left in a dark place.<br /><br />Lauren said: "Life happens. People make choices and sometimes people have to live with no consequences. <br /><br />"My intent with the separation was that I wanted to work it out, but that did not happen.<br /><br />"I said 'if this does not work out if I am in pain, I will make light of it' and we did."<br /><br />The photoshoot took place in March 2023 in Lauren's back garden.<br /><br />Lauren said the shoot was "spontaneous" and "last minute".<br /><br />Her mum, Felicia Bowman, 58, is a photographer, who took the photos and her best friend, is a videographer who filmed the shoot. <br /><br />Lauren said: "There were lots of laughs that day. I am terrified of fire and they are lighting the dress on fire with me in it.<br /><br />"I felt empowered. I was worried that there might be a moment when I was sad. It is the end of the marriage that I thought I would have forever.<br /><br />"You are grieving the loss of the relationship but I didn't it was fun."<br /><br />The shoot took an hour and Lauren can be seen stamping on wedding pictures, ripping her dress up and setting it on fire.<br /><br />The mum of two said: "I am very happy now. The only reason where I am today is because of my faith.<br /><br />"You will get through the other side.<br /><br />"A lot of women are shamed for divorce but men seem to be congratulated for it.<br /><br />"We are told that no matter what we are supposed to stay and keep our family together, but many women struggle with it.<br /><br />"We should not be made to feel ashamed."
