Lifestyle
Divorce and the separation of families is hardly uncommon these days. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, about 40% to 50% of marriages in the United States lead to divorce. So the odds of you staying with your spouse, I'm sad to report, really aren't that great, especially if the trend continues and we see a further rise.
But the saddest thing about divorce, aside from the divorce itself, is the fact that it often goes hand-in-hand with acrimony, relentless arguing, and drama. It's sad because it essentially detracts from the life these former partners would have shared as a happy couple in love. When deciding to part ways with someone because they weren't right for you, it's very easy to feel anger toward them and, as a result, animosity ensues.
But although it may seem bleak, there is hope yet. Not everyone who decides to end a relationship will inevitably treat their former other half with resentment. And one recent Facebook post is pretty much evidence of that.
Credit: Facebook / Dylan Lenox
Included in the post was a set of photos of a girl with her biological father and soon-to-be stepdad. It received a great deal of attention after it was shared to Facebook. The very heartwarming pictures go to show that it really is possible for new spouses and exes to not only be friendly with each other but to consider each other family.
Due to its unmistakable message of love, forgiveness, and solidarity, the photo has received a staggering 151,000 shares.
Credit: Willie + Rose Photography
The photo was taken moments before five-year-old Willow Mengon and her biological father David Mignon had their daddy-daughter dance. Of course, there are plenty of people who can relate to finding themselves in a situation where separation and divorce has eventually led to remarriage and new families being formed.
Credit: Willie + Rose Photography
But far too many people in this sort of situation leave the relationship with feelings of bitterness and hostility, which is why stories such as this one have a very special, one-in-a-million feel to them.
In the very moving post, Dylan explains how their not-so-complicated family works:
"Our daughter Willow. You may never know how your love has changed us all. The guy to the left is myself (Daddy, Daddy Dylan or Bonus Dad), in the middle is of course our Princess Willow and the guy to the right is David (Daddy, Daddy David or biological Dad).
No we are not a same sex couple, but we do share a daughter. David is Sarah’s ex husband and I am the Fiancé. We have molded ourselves into one unique family, of only for the sake of our children to know the power of love.
Not only did I gain a daughter, I gained a brother and a best friend. Thank you Sarah for letting this all happen! When we care more about our children (on both sides of the party) than the way society has taught us to be towards (ex's/baby mommas/daddy's) then walls will fall, life will be free of hatred and remorse, and our children will conquer the foolish "norms" that media has shoved in our faces.
He stays at our home when he visits, because family is always welcome. He is not an outsider, he is and will always be apart of my life for the simple fact that we share the same daughter!
Of course not a single moment would be like this without Sarah (mommy) and her kind and generous heart! Willow Grace you are loved by so many people in this world and your Daddies love you! :::
FYI David is SINGLE:::
This Is NOT a photo shoot,Sarah is a photographer though::: This was taken before a daddy daughter dance:::David took her this year:: This was an impromptu photo opp. This is real and this is us."
Credit: Willie + Rose Photography
The very touching photos and its poignant caption received over 24,000 comments as of this writing, with a number of people expressing just how overjoyed they were to see what their family had become.
"This just made my day," one commenter wrote. "So precious."
Credit: Willie + Rose Photography
"I can tell you from experience that an amazing step-dad makes all the difference," wrote another. "I am blessed that my kids have a great bonus dad who treats them like his own. That gives me a peace of mind without worry. It wasn't always that way, but we are blessed beyond words."
Credit: Willie + Rose Photography
"My ex-husband lives with me and he is my best friend this is how it should be," a third wrote. "A lot of people think it’s weird with my ex-husband living with me but I wouldn’t change it for nothing. I love my family."
Credit: Willie + Rose Photography
It is, perhaps, unsurprising that the post has received such a warm response - people are simply hungry for the seemingly unattainable image of a happy family post-divorce.
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