Ex-Husband, Baby Daddy, Etc...

This blog entry... I have been stewing on it for days now. I have so much to say about it. As I had originally stated in my first post, I am a divorcee. Once upon a time, I was a very happily married woman. I was in love with my best friend, we had a beautiful home and, really a happy story together. But then, life happened.  Decisions were made, hearts were broken, and we both had to move on.

On June 19, 1999, I married Ryan Leroy Lynch. {I still giggle at his middle name, so does he!}
We had a pretty amazing marriage and partnership. He was the first of many 'firsts' for me. He's a good man, father, friend, son, brother. He's just a good egg. We were married for fifteen years. That's a long time if you ask me. I was a teenager when we first met, yikes! You can say he finished raising me. Gosh! I am so indebted to him for all that he has done for me. More than anything? He gave me my two most exquisite gifts: Rylee and Carson. I became a mother; greatest joy of my life. How can I ever dislike or hold any resentment towards him? NEVER!

This post is super important to me. I want to tell all two of my readers/followers that divorce doesn't need to be an ugly thing. It's what you choose to make of  it. Yes, I take into consideration that not every divorce is amicable. That ya'll might have heavier contributing factors that I could never possibly relate to. I understand that my experience is not the same as others. But it IS mine. And I want to share it with you.

Mr. Lynch and I have been divorced for three years now. At one point I couldn't even say 'Ryan' with out feeling complete hurt and resentment. Complete disappointment. What a terrible place I was in. I focused on so much that I felt he did wrong; what he could have done better, that I forgot what true blessings he had provided to me and our delicious children. I missed the whole message, the experience, the lesson that was given to me: Ryan Lynch.

I am finally in a good place to say that I am thankful for the fifteen year lesson I received. To this day, he continues to be my best friend. He was there for me through a recent break-up which nearly broke me, it nearly cost me everything. He picked my up, brushed the dust off my shoulders and, told me to 'suck it up! Move forward.' He is who I call when I get rejected by men who aren't interested in dating me, LOL! He's happy to remind me that I may not be everybody's cup of tea. He is good at keeping me humble.

I {WE} choose to be civil and amicable for two very specific reasons; Rylee and Carson. More than anything, we are very proud parents. We have been entrusted with two amazing creations and, damn it, we will never fail them. We kind of stunk at the marriage thing, but we won't fail at parenting!

About once a month, we gather over a weekend, just the four of us. We spend time with one another, share a fun activity, break bread together. Ultimately, we celebrate. We celebrate that once upon a time, we were a family. That life challenged us, and we've managed to get through it. We celebrate that we are alive and healthy. We are still kicking it! We celebrate our gifts. We celebrate that life is still great, and that happiness will be found again. In a way, I guess we are still a family.
Sometimes, we are given challenges. We have no control over that. But, we are in control of how we choose to handle these challenges; these tests. I'll keep ya'll posted on how we do.
Thank you for reading.

Cheers... I think the pic I added to this post says it all! Thank you, Lynch! you're alright.
Here is to LIFE!!!