Tori D here…before I get into the meat of this, if you or someone you know is struggling with domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text “START” (78278) to Crisis Text Line at 88788.
I woke up to my work email buzzing at 6:30AM today, and I opened an email with a link to a music video by Hardy ft. Lainey Wilson for their new song “Wait in the Truck.”
Then seconds later, Alana from Alana & Chris in the morning emailed me saying, “I didn’t want you going into it (watching the music video) without knowing that it makes you feel big feelings.”
So, I opened the youtube link and less than a minute into this music video I was bawling my eyes out in bed.
Big feelings is an understatement. This song is so deeply powerful. In both the song and music video, Hardy is driving his truck down the road and encounters a visibly battered woman. He takes her back to the house she left and confronts her abuser and gets justice for what happened to her. He does go to jail, and Lainey’s character continues to visit him and he says, “It was worth the price, to see a brighter side of the girl I picked up that night”.
As a domestic violence survivor, it encapsulates the emotions I personally felt as I was experiencing and living in that situation.
This song made me feel seen and heard. Back then, I wished so deeply for someone to rescue me like Hardy did with a “judge under a seat” (IYKYK). Regardless of how you feel about justice…in the end, no one gets to tell domestic violence survivors what justice should feel or look like. Hardy and Lainey brought to life something that so many domestic violence victims and survivors wish, and put a spotlight on an issue that spends far too much time in the dark.
This song is a reminder that there are people in this world who want victims and survivors of domestic violence to know they are not alone. No one should ever be in a situation where “love” is violent.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, you might feel like you have no one to talk to. You might feel like you are completely alone. But I promise you that you are not. What you’re experiencing isn’t shameful for anyone other than the person hurting you.
What’s happening or has happened to you is NOT your fault. There are resources. I personally have used the National Domestic Violence Hotline AND Faces of Hope in Boise to find resources in my area to help me when I needed it the most. You may not be ready to use these resources just yet, and that’s okay, but please know that when you are ready for help, they are here for you.
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
If you or someone you know is struggling with domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text “START” (78278) to Crisis Text Line at 88788
If you are not in a safe situation to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline, there is a 24/7 chat available: Online chat hotline
If you or someone you know in the Treasure Valley is struggling with domestic violence, you can find local resources here.
And if you know someone who is experiencing domestic violence, please understand that it is never just as easy as “just leaving.” Please just be there for them. Support them by listening, opening your heart, and helping them get resources when they are ready to. It’s scary to experience domestic violence, and it’s just as scary to ask for help.
