I’m sure many of you can relate, but for those of you who can’t relate to the complicated nuance of blended family relationships, please know: there are a lot of preconceived notions about step-parents and sadly many of the assumptions can turn out to be true. I have heard just about everything regarding who & what I am to OUR boys (as the bonus mom) based upon other’s experiences / misconception of blended/step-families.
(I never would have dreamt of getting to write a post like this all those years ago but am so thankful that I can today.)
Our oldest (who is now 22) put it best the other night while reminiscing about the past 16 years with me in his life.
“The only difference between you and my mom is that you CHOSE to love us & you have continued to love us and treat us as your own. I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it as my mom too” {cue the tears}
I’m so grateful that the only thing these (now grown) boys of ours seem to recall about their childhood is Love + Joy regardless of how stressful life got while navigating this road, we always tried our best to live, laugh + love and although we failed miserably a lot, they don’t seem to recall or dwell on any of it.
(Galatians 6:9, ‘ do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season you will reap if you do not give up’ This is the verse I clung to/implemented all those difficult years + have now seen come to fruition.)
*Their biological mom sent me a text recently… things were not always this way but I’m so grateful for the friendship we now have*