Why My Divorce Was the Best Thing to Happen to Me

I was a 27 year old divorcée. For a long time, I couldn’t say, much less type those words.

Before the divorce was official, I told my counselor that I was terrified of being known as a “27-year old divorcée”. His response was not one I was expecting. He started laughing. I was offended. Why was he laughing about a matter so devastating? Looking back now, though, I can see the irony in the situation.

What Peter, my counselor, was trying to open my eyes to was that the things I needed to deal with that had led to my divorce far outweighed what people would think of me. I had bigger problems than what others thought about me, and it was probably caring too much what others think about me that got me into this in the first place. I didn’t fully understand it yet at that stage in the process.

Divorce is always painful and it has a ripple effect on those around you.

Before I continue, I want to say I don’t in any way treat divorce lightly. It’s painful. It’s difficult. It’s never an easy decision. It never is just about two people. There are many people around you who feel the pain too. I regret the pain that my divorce no doubt caused my parents, my in-laws, and the friends who journeyed with us and helped us plan our wedding.

I remember being single and seeing other people get divorced and wondering, “Is lasting love even a real thing?” I hate the thought that my choosing to…