Dear Strong Child,

Although we may not know each other and our paths never crossed, we share a bond that can never be broken. We have both been through something that has brought so much hurt and heartache into our lives. And this was something that we had no control over. We are both strong, we are both survivors, we are both children from a divorced home.

No matter what age you were when your parents initially split, it still brought pain that you never imagined you would have. All the dreams of growing up in a perfect family were broken. Your family was torn apart, and you may have been forced to start a completely new life. The life of a divorced family became your new normal.

This does not make you any less of a person. You are just a strong as everyone else, and maybe even stronger. When you think of your childhood, your memories may be filled with tears and heartbreak. But don’t let those times fill your head. Remember the happy times, the times that you were smiling and laughing.

Do not put any blame on yourself. The issues between your parents were not your fault and there was nothing you could have done to fix them. Release yourself of any guilt that you may have.

I want you to know that all marriages do not end in divorce. Love is real and marriage is possible. Just because your parents got divorced does not mean that you will. Break the cycle. You have the luxury of knowing first hand what divorce can do to a family. Do not break up your family like that. Do everything in your power to keep your family together.

I hope that you have already, or will, realize that the divorce you saw firsthand was not the worst thing that could have happened in your life. I hope that you can realize that you are loved and there was nothing you could have done to save anyone’s marriage. The divorce of your parents is not your story. It does not define you and it certainly does not make your family less than a married one. It was a chapter in your life. End that chapter and start writing the rest of your book.

Sincerely,

Strong Child