My ex-husband’s parents obviously weren’t thrilled about me divorcing their son. Soon after the divorce, I drove to my in-laws’ house and had a very long and open and difficult and awkward and beautiful and complicated We decided not to point fingers or blame or judge.

We just talked about the most important thing: the kids. We decided to put our differences and our pride aside and focus on what really matters: family, forgiveness, love.

I remember one particular phone call early on, while things were still really tense between their son and me, his mom said: “Well, if you’re not technically my daughter-in-law anymore, then from now on you’re my daughter.”

And they have treated me like one since. Today was another Thanksgiving spent at their house. I’ve always been welcome. conversation with them. Once I started dating my current husband, I assumed the invitation to Thanksgiving would stop!

But no. The invitation was extended to him as well. It’s been like this for years now, all of us getting together for the holidays. Today, we once again ate together as one big family. Today, my husband helped my ex-husband’s mom set the table and clean up, as he does every year.

I was listening today as my ex-husband and current spouse talked about work, football, and parenting. My ex-husband and my son from my second marriage were playing superheroes today.

Today was about the things that really mattered, not the unneeded drama that we humans have a tendency to manufacture. Divorce, remarriage, and co-parenting are all difficult situations.

In some ways, it’s the hardest part of my life. But the hard work and our “kids first, egos last” formula have been worth it. So, so worth it. (The first photo is of my ex-husband’s mom and me from last year’s Thanksgiving. The second photo is from today, my current husband helping my ex-husband’s mom set the dessert table.)