Joey Lawrence's Estranged Wife Samantha Cope Breaks Silence amid Divorce: 'Don't Be Afraid of the Tears'

Samantha Cope and Joey Lawrence.Photo:Samantha Cope/Instagram; Joey Lawrence/Instagram Samantha Cope/Instagram; Joey Lawrence/Instagram Samantha Copeis speaking out for the first time following herdivorcefromJoey Lawrence. On Saturday, Aug. 24, the 37-year-old actress shared her firstInstagram postfollowing the news that she and theMelissa & Joeyactor, 48, are splitting two years after tying the knot. “An amazing friend of mine recently told me ‘don’t be afraid of the tears. Let them flow. Because every tear is God gently squeezing the pain and devastation from your heart to make room for new beautiful feelings to come in,' " she began the caption of her post.

Joey Lawrence, Samantha Cope 'Had Troubles from the Beginning' of Relationship, Source Says (Exclusive)

Joey Lawrence and Samantha Cope.Photo:Samantha Cope /Instagram Samantha Cope /Instagram The start ofJoey LawrenceandSamantha Cope’s relationship was anything but smooth, according to a source. Days afternews of the former pair’s divorcewas made public, a source close to the couple tells PEOPLE that Lawrence, 48, and Cope, 37, “had troubles from the beginning of their relationship.” They add of Lawrence, “He had gotten to a point where he had hit his limit with defending his kids, his mom and his family to Samantha.

Joey Lawrence’s Estranged Wife Samantha Cope Seeking Full Custody of Their 19-Month-Old Daughter

Samantha Cope and Joey Lawrence with daughter, Dylan.Photo:samantha cope/Instagram samantha cope/Instagram Samantha Copeis asking for full custody of her andJoey Lawrence’s 19-month-old daughter, Dylan Rose. Cope requested sole physical custody of their toddler while permitting Lawrence visitation at her discretion. She specified that once Dylan is 3 years old, Lawrence “will have the option to take her for 2 nights in her home location if he is not working and can facilitate her visiting.

John Amos' Cause of Death Revealed 1 Day After His Son Announced theGood TimesActor Had Died

John Amos attends the 2014 Doe Fund Benefit & Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City on October 30, 2014.Photo:Shahar Azran/WireImage/Getty Images Shahar Azran/WireImage/Getty Images John Amos' cause of death has been revealed after his son confirmed he had died at age 84. The certificate also reveals that theGood Timesstar’s remains were cremated on Aug. 30, just nine days after he died. His son, Kelly Christopher “K.C.” Amos, was listed as the informant who reported his death to Los Angeles County.

John Amos' Daughter Shannon Announces Memorial for Late Actor amid Family Drama: 'We Are Sending My Dad's Spirit Home'

John Amos (right) and daughter Shannon during Cure Autism Now Celebrates Third Annual “Acts of Love” - After Party at Lucques Restaurant in Los Angeles in 2004.Photo:J.Sciulli/WireImage J.Sciulli/WireImage John Amos' daughter Shannon has organized a memorial for her late father. John was 84 when he died of natural causes in Los Angeleson Aug. 21, but Shannon, 58, claimedshe didn’t learn of his deathuntil it made the news on Oct. 1, when her brother, Kelly Christopher “K.