When I was a teen, a terrible one, my father always told me, “lovers come and go, but I will always be there for you through thick or thin because you are my daughter, and I love you unconditionally. Don’t ever forget that.” Now, more than ever, I know this to be true.

Lovers, husbands, wives, come and go, but family and friends are teaching me the true value of love. Real, unconditional, I’m here for you love. Even my brothers and sisters have come together as never before, to cheer me on at this point in my life when I have come to see the unimaginable ugly face of divorce.

I always thought that if things went south, at least it would be civil and kind, but I guess I was wrong. I tried to be nice. Heck! I’m nice! Yet, being treated as a stranger or worse, as if I had really wronged this person when all I did was leave as soon as possible as he requested, doesn’t make me want to be nice. It makes me want to erase 16 years of my life with him and fast!

The worst thing is not that I’m broken hearted, because I‘m not. It’s worse than that. It’s the deep disappointment that is crushing. I guess it’s true; you get to know people once the word divorce comes up. I’m saddened that the other person doesn’t show the least care or empathy for how hard it is to change a whole life in a day.

However, the upside is to know that my dad was right and that he is there for me as are my family and amazing friends. And this is what will pull me through the deep disappointment I feel right now.