Like many others, I grew up most of my life with divorced parents. As a child, when I was initially told, I was devastated. I knew it was coming, though. Through my years divvying up my time between two households, I have learned quite a few things that really impacted my life.
Monday and Tuesdays with Dad, Wednesday and Thursdays with Mom, and switching off every other weekend can get a little confusing. I usually kept most of my clothing and essential items in the backseat and trunk of my car that was NEVER clean. I lost track of things, even in High School. However, even though my parents were not together, I found that it was not all bad or "the end of the world," like I had thought in fourth grade.
I celebrated TWICE the Christmases and birthday parties, which means twice the gifts. Most kids find this the most exciting of all. While it was definitely a plus, my favorite part was having two different bedrooms to decorate and make a mess. There was also always the good old "ask both parents for money and they'll almost never find out" that saved my butt in middle school.
Probably the best thing that came out of the divorce, was my dad meeting my current step-mother, Theresa. It warms my heart knowing that I have yet another amazing woman as a role model in my life. I cannot imagine my world without all of her constant support and love.
With this new family member coming into our household, also came her son Nate, and their two puppies, Gunner and Gizmo. We are all so blessed. Especially coming from a crazy, vegan, animal freak like myself.
If anything, the divorce brought my brother and I even closer. He is one of my best friends in the whole universe. I often miss having to drive him to and from our two houses together, blasting "Book of Mormon" and the South Park Movie Musical.
Though some families often have a hard time communicating between one another when divorced, my parents have always had my brother, Nate, and my best interest in mind and stay in touch with one another about us.
My Mom and Stepmom are actually on great terms too. The two of them drove me to New York together, have stayed in hotel rooms with me for college auditions and sat next to each other at some of my shows. My dad finds it funny that when the three of them come to visit me in Pittsburgh, they all save money by sharing one hotel room. When dropping me off in New York, all of my roommates had thought that the two of them were lesbians because of how motherly they both were towards me and how well they got along.
All in all, my family is a gigantic bundle of confusion, love and blessings. They are my rock and I would have been run over by a car, or failed High School if it weren't for all of them.
