Here I Are

Anatomy of a Marriage

By: Alex Belth, Emily Shapiro

Narrated by: Alex Belth, Emily Shapiro

Length: 2 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Scenes From a Marriage

If you are into the relationship genre you can’t do much better than Here I Are. Alex and Emily’s examination of their marriage will have you laugh a little, cry a little but most importantly believe in the power of a loving relationship. I can’t recommend this romantic tour-de-force high enough just in time for Valentines Day.

This Will Make You More Empathetic & Compassionate

Relationships are usually tough but when you add in a couple of chronic illnesses, the complexity can easily overwhelm the partners. Emily and Alex's story gives you an in-depth look at how this couple persevered; they conquered their demons, overcame many challenges, and set themselves up for a brighter future.

Memoires often strike me as constructed memories used to have enough material to write a book, but when you listen to Emily and Alex recount their experiences from their own perspectives, you will identify with the truth of these memories, both good and bad. What sealed the deal for me that this was a worthwhile listen was at the end when they asked each other what they learned from going through this process. Spoiler Alert: Alex says that he didn't learn anything new but you can tell that he did as is evident throughout the book.

I would love for everyone to listen to this story; it is certain to increase your appetite for empathy and compassion. So often, we react to what we see on the surface and fail to understand (or even try to understand) what a person may be going through in their personal life. Keeping that in mind in everyday interactions might make us more understanding, caring, and cognizant that we all have more in common than we think. This is a good story -- listen to it -- let it sink in!

A great love story

Man, this poor couple had so many medical and personal obstacles to overcome on the way to marriage, it seems like a miracle they made it work — but this time, love actually did conquer all. Amazingly honest and funny as hell.

Thoughtful, engaging, personal storytelling

Alex and Emily’s story was quite the ride. It offered an honest look into dating, marriage, and chronic illness that was thoughtful, compelling, and at times laugh out loud funny. I listened to this on the go and found myself smiling and audibly laughing while walking down the sidewalks, it was that engaging. Seeing the same moments in their relationship from each of their points of view was interesting, and seeing how they problem solved at different points in their relationship really pulled back the curtain. By the end, I felt that Alex and Emily were dear friends, and I only wanted to hear even more. Each of them have voices you could listen to for hours, and it was clear through how they told their stories that they were committed to being completely honest and open. Thank you to Alex and Emily for sharing this tender, honest, thoughtful story.

Quick and Honest

This was a quick listen offering a married couple speaking honestly about their relationship in the context of chronic illnesses.

Beautiful and inspiring

It inspired me a lot, You are a big example as a couple.
I love the way you love each other.