Influencer Jen Hamilton transformed what could have been a painful milestone into a celebration of independence, hosting a gathering for colleagues on what would have been her 14th wedding anniversary.
Hamilton, 35, shared details of her "Jendependence" party through social media on Saturday, August 8. The event took place on Tuesday, August 4, the date that would have marked 14 years of marriage to Brian Hamilton before their split in June.
"August 4 was going to be a really hard day for me. It was going to be my 14th wedding anniversary. The first one after finding out about my husband's diabolical betrayal," Hamilton wrote via Instagram on Saturday. "So I threw a party for all my work friends. So many people showed up! They loved on me so hard and I told them EVERYTHING."
The author of Birth Vibes: Stories and Strategies for an Empowered Birth posted photographs from the gathering, including an image showing her making a defiant gesture toward a fire consuming her former bedsheets.
"I burned the bedsheets which held years of my own personal repression and the lies he told. He cannot hurt me anymore," Hamilton stated in her post. "Boooo to cheating on your loving and faithful wife with a grandma. No offense to grandmas. She just is one."
Hamilton has publicly accused her estranged husband of maintaining a secret relationship with a 56-year-old woman throughout their marriage. Brian Hamilton has not publicly responded to these allegations.
The influencer described finding new perspectives on the difficult period following her marriage's dissolution. "I am getting to the point now that I'm grateful for what this has brought me," she wrote in Saturday's post. "Because now I get to create my own future instead of living in the knowing that things would never get better for me. I'm so grateful for my friends. And for that night. Happy Jendependence to me."
In late July, Hamilton acknowledged potential gaps in her knowledge regarding her husband's activities during their marriage. On July 29, she addressed her followers with a message preparing them for possible future revelations.
"Me, now? Me, big, strong girl. Okay? Me, independent girl. Me, 'don't need no man' girl. Me, 'get out of bad relationship' girl. But I feel like I need to get out ahead of something," Hamilton stated on July 29. "If anything comes out about other things this guy's done in my marriage, just listen. Me, now? Me, big, strong girl. Me, independent girl. Me, back then? Me, insecure girl. Me, desperate girl."
She continued, "Yes, he had a double life with a woman who was 56 years old. Yes, I should have left him way earlier — giving myself grace. I am so fortunate to have the means and resources to leave a bad relationship. There are so many women who are unable to do so, whether from finances, resources, etc."
Hamilton has channeled her experience into entrepreneurial action, launching the Sisterhood of Solidarity fashion line. The collection features clothing and accessories bearing empowering messages such as "We Rise Together," "Keep Going," and "G.Y.A.U. (Get Your Ass Up)." Proceeds from the line support efforts to help women exit troubled relationships.
"One thing that I love to do is take something terrible that is happening and turn it into something good for other people," Hamilton explained to her followers on July 23. "What I recognized through this process is that I am so fortunate to be able to get out of a situation that I didn't need to be in because I have the resources to do so. So many women do not have that."
As Hamilton begins work on her second book, she has announced her intention to retain Hamilton as her surname despite the divorce. The name has become integral to her professional identity and brand recognition.
"It's my name now," she declared via Instagram on July 27. "I made this name special and I'm gonna keep it."