Heidi Cruz talks about the ups and downs of being married to Ted Cruz

Heidi Cruz spoke to The Atlantic about her life in the political spotlight.

Heidi Cruz, wife of then Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz visits FOX News at FOX Studios on April 19, 2016 in New York City.

>>> Click through to see photos of the Cruz and O'Rourke debate. less Heidi Cruz, wife of then Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz visits FOX News at FOX Studios on April 19, 2016 in New York City. Heidi Cruz spoke to The Atlantic about her life in the political spotlight.

Heidi Cruz, wife of then Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz visits FOX News at FOX Studios on April 19, 2016 in New York City. Heidi Cruz, wife of then Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz visits FOX News at FOX Studios on April 19, 2016 in New York City. ... more Photo: John Lamparski, Getty Images Photo: John Lamparski, Getty Images Image 1 of / 44 Caption Close Heidi Cruz talks about the ups and downs of being married to Ted Cruz 1 / 44 Back to Gallery

In the weeks leading up to the 2018 U.S. Senate race between incumbent Republican Ted Cruz and Democratic Representative Beto O'Rourke, Cruz's wife Heidi gave a rare interview to The Atlantic.

The 46-year-old, who was born in San Luis Obispo, California, spoke about her life with Ted Cruz, to whom she has been married since 2001.

In 2009, the two met in Austin, Texas, where they were both working on George W. Bush's presidential campaign, and began dating. "It was love at first sight," she told the magazine.

At the couple's wedding reception in 2001, he insisted they play the Disney song "A Whole New World." At the time, she didn't understand the odd request. Since then, the song has taken on a new meaning.

"I would say to younger women: Be intentional about your decisions. And I do appreciate that Ted started our life together with that song, because there's some truth to it. He'll be like, 'It's such a great life! We have so much adventure ahead! It's like our magic-carpet ride. And sometimes I'm like, 'I hope we don't hit the cement.'"

Indeed, Heidi has hit a few bumps in the road during her life in the public eye.

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In 2005, she gave up her post working for Condoleezza Rice on the National Security Council and moved from Washington D.C. to Texas. Ted was already living in Austin, where he was Solicitor General.

Only Heidi moved a two and a half hour drive away to Houston, where she could work in banking. They took turns making the weekly commute to see each other. It was during this time that Heidi says she hit a low point.

One evening, while in Austin, she walked to the side of an on-ramp of MoPac Expressway near her home and buried her head in her hands.

In his report, the officer who arrived on the scene believed that Heidi was a "danger to herself" and thus, drove her to the police station.

"We were early in our marriage ... It's a wonderful thing—like, in a great way, you amplify each other. You're a couple now, you're two together, stronger. But before that, you make all your own decisions," she said. "And there's an adjustment that takes place when you realize that life is now all about the two of you, and that's fine, but there are trade-offs.

"I think it's very natural to feel afraid, to feel like things are in your path, in your wake, that were not your decision. I think my spirit just fell to a low place," she said.

Ten years later, after Ted held roles as Texas Solicitor General and U.S. Senator, Heidi again found herself going through a period of depression just prior to her husband announcing his bid for the White House.

Heidi Cruz says she put her career aspirations aside one more time. She took unpaid leave from her position as the successful managing director of Goldman Sachs to campaign for her husband.

"I realized early on that if I didn't do this for my own reasons, and I did it to help Ted ... that I could very easily resent everybody," she said.

She set out on the campaign path with the goal of having her own purpose and identity.

"I think feeling empowered through different chapters of your life is so important ... Sometimes, you can do that by being deliberate," she said.

In the end, it was Donald Trump who received the Republican presidential nomination. After the 2016 campaign ended, Heidi went back to work at Goldman and was promoted to a new national role.

The Cruzes had a couple of calm years until the media madness around the Texas Senate race kicked in. She is supporting her spouse as he runs for re-election while keeping up with her own busy career.

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"I really feel mission-driven on what he's accomplishing," she clarified. But "it does take some supportiveness, you know. Six to seven years in it, with me being the primary breadwinner—it's like, 'Uh, yeah, this is when people say thank you. I'll now take that appreciation.'" She laughed. "Yeah, we're seven years into this, and we're not buying a second home anytime soon."

But the Cruzes do see Houston in their long-term future. "I think I'm a Houston lifer ... It's important to our constituents that Ted be in the state," she said.

Click here for the full story by The Atlantic.

Marcy de Luna is a digital reporter specializing in social media, the famous, and food. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna. Read her stories on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Marcy.deLuna@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message