A decade ago, my son moved out on this date, and broke my heart into a million pieces.

I wasn’t surprised, but it wasn’t expected. It’s hard to join a blended family when you’re 16. Hard to deal with a father that is in and out, after almost a decade of being absent. Hard to deal with yet another stepdad.

I get it. I understand it all, in my logical mind.

When my post about my son moving out came up on my past posts app from a decade ago, I remembered the pain, visceral and fresh.

And breathe.

Ten years later, I can’t be prouder of my son. He’s married his high school sweetheart, he’s a talented and successful photographer and artist, and he works full time at a day job to provide for his family, which now includes my six month old grandson. He just moved into his new home.

Ten years ago, a lot of hard feelings. Hurt hearts. Dismay and discouragement. Uncertainty.

Time is on the side of the blended family when God is the center of it.

We are not exactly where I want us to be as parents and the kid pack, but. for the most part, we are all growing together…at our own pace.

I’m grateful my son and I are close, and have a loving relationship. Having an amazing daughter in love and sweet grandson just make my heart full.

God is good.

Happy birthday tomorrow, son. I love you.