Tiki Barber's Girlfriend, Traci Johnson, Speaks Out

Marriages break up all the time, and in most cases it's not pretty. In general, media doesn't care when most people are going through a divorce (outside of the booker for "Springer", anyway). Celebrities (however we define that these days) are a different story, however. Which explains why the tabloids couldn't get enough of Tiki Barber leaving his wife of 11 years (she was eight-months pregnant at the time, by the way) for former NBC intern Traci Johnson.

It would be an understatement to suggest that the public backlash was swift and unforgiving.

Barber's contract with NBC wasn't renewed, and for a few months he flew under the radar while the rest of us tried to get on with our lives. Then for reasons that still defy explanation, Johnson got the bright idea to rehash it all and tell her side of the story to Crushable.com. You can read the whole thing here, but if you're looking for the Cliffs Notes version, this pretty much sums it up:

When I began dating my current boyfriend in the beginning of January 2010 I was optimistic, yet cautious. He was recently separated from his wife, resetting his love life, and unsure of what the future would hold for him.

All qualities that produced an array of warning signals in my mind. However, the romantic optimist in me prevailed through the doubt and I thought about the possibilities that could lead to the potential of this situation actually working out to my benefit.

It meanders on like this for hundreds of words more where were learn details like Johnson and Barber watch a lot of "Dr Quinn Medicine Woman" (seriously), play in a co-ed softball league, and "if any restaurant requires a three-course meal or more we refuse to go and end up eating at a local pub right around the corner from our apartment." Duly noted.

Johnson then ends with this: "We simply just take solace and great joy in knowing that the people who know the true 'Tiki and Traci' have loved and supported us every step of the way and we take even greater joy in making new friends who have learned to love the 'real us.'"

Because love conquers all, that's why.

via SBB