Brittney Griner’s Spouse Cherelle Griner Says She Was ‘Hopeless,’ Could not Exhale

Cherelle Griner can lastly breathe … one thing most individuals do with out effort or thought, however one thing that was elusive to her in the course of the 10 months her spouse, Brittney Griner, was held captive by the Russian authorities.

Cherelle, who completed regulation college throughout her spouse’s captivity, tells PEOPLE … “It was virtually as if any person simply punched you within the abdomen and also you inhaled. You by no means get to breathe out.”

She admits it was onerous to hold on to hope … “I used to be hopeless lots of days. You attempt to keep grounded, however I am human. Nonetheless, I’d by no means fully quit hope on my spouse’s life.”

As for Brittney’s launch … Cherelle says her response stunned her … “I had thought of that second a thousand instances, and I believed I’d be stuffed with tears, however I used to be overwhelmingly comfortable. It was the primary time I used to be capable of lastly exhale.”

Reuniting in San Antonio, the place Brittney flew for medical statement and remedy, Cherelle mentioned, “We have been each simply immediately crying. I used to be standing there stuffed with tears and somebody ran over and handed me a handkerchief. I undoubtedly wanted it.”

She then described their embrace … “I could not cease touching her facer. I used to be like, ‘Is that this actually you?’ It didn’t really feel actual. It was chilling, and heat. I used to be simply holding on tight. I could not let her go.”

Their first evening collectively was sleepless … “We simply talked all evening lengthy and all morning.” After which she mirrored — “I had all my freedom. I had my mattress. However when you have got your loved ones abroad in a scenario like that, time zones play an element. Each evening, that is the one time I might discuss to her attorneys and I might deal with issues. And so I simply hadn’t slept.”