To those who, like me, grew up with divorced parents,

When my parents separated, it wasn't too common, or it wasn't too common of my knowledge. Now a days, it's not really rare and it's become more of a shock to hear that parents are happily married and comfortably living together.

I was young, I was naive and I wasn't too educated on how the whole two houses, step mom/step dad, step siblings thing worked. I was frightened by it. I definitely wasn't open to accepting other people in to my family. I wanted it to be what it was normally like. My Mom, my Dad, my sister and I.

Every other weekend there was a "D" on the calendar for Dad. Every Christmas Eve was spend with Dad and that side of my new family, Christmas was always spent with Mom. Easter, Thanksgiving, 4th of July and New Years was always alternated. It was an adjustment. Not a very easy adjustment, am I right?

Thursday's were for Dad. Dinner, homework, sometimes a movie and then we went home to Mom. Every other Friday at 5 o'clock I had my weekend bag packed of everything and anything because I'd be at Dad's from Friday until Sunday night. I called Mom one thousand times throughout that weekend, simply because I wanted to be home; in my bed, my house, with my food, my dog, my bathroom, my Mom.

I loved Mom, I was afraid she would find someone who made her happy; happier than I made her. I didn't want any of her love for me to go to anyone else. I wanted to be her whole, her world. Well jokes on me because adding my step dad into the equation I know how much I am loved.

Mom and Dad both found their significant other post their split. My three step siblings made life so much more enjoyable, such an easier adjustment. With Dad there were four kids and though we're all completely different, boy do we have fun together. Countless laughs, cries and vacations; they made my child hood that much easier. With Mom there were three kids. Protecting my little step brother I learned to help him, play with him and make his adjustment to this new life, so easy and enjoyable.

Having divorced parents isn't fun in the beginning, it's scary and it's not ideal. As a little kid you love your parents unconditionally but want them to come to their senses and be together. Now, I love the life of having two different families. I have learned to accept it, love it and know that it's permanent. I love my parents more than anything in this world and though in the beginning I resented them(mostly my Dad) I now thank them and am happy with where life has brought us.