Working Wives & Bachelorettes: All We Need Is Love

I'm guessing if you looked at my family, from the outside in, we look, well, perfect. A mom, a dad, two healthy boys, two (stupid) dogs. A white picket (alright, it's vinyl) fence. We even have fish. An all-American family. But by whose definition?

I'm not trying to pat my own back, but my marriage is something to be envied. I'm lucky. The first guy I married will be my last. I don't doubt that. Rob and I have an unexplanably amazing relationship that truly, most can only hope to have. I am blessed. Truly blessed. But not because I married a man, but because of the person he is. He makes me a better me. He enriches the lives of our kids and anyone who meets him. He's a really, really special person. And don't even get me started on my kiddos.

The funny part is that we were both raised by divorced parents. Mine divorced when I was two and remarried by the time I was five. For all intense and purposes, I grew up with four parents. Four happy parents who loved one another as opposed to two miserable ones who just stayed together "for the kids." I also have a sister named Kelly and her husband is named Rob! (I couldn't make this stuff up!)

Rob's parents divorced when he was a teenager. His mom remarried and he went to live with his dad, brother and sister.

If you look at the "broken, shattered" homes we come from, how could we possible make it (hint: that remark is chock full of sarcasm)? Truth is, it isn't the container but the contents.

What it comes down to is being raised with love. No matter from whom or in what fashion, Rob and I grew up knowing we were loved, valued, disciplined. And it shows in how we live our lives and how we raise our children.

I know scores of people who feel the same way, only their situation is a bit different. Raised by two moms who adore one another. Raised by a mother and father who were high school sweetheats. Raised by a single parent or divorced parents or adoptive parents. The list goes on and on. We all have different family backgrounds and dynamics. Those raised by warm, loving parents may wind up getting divorced. Those raised in broken homes may go on to achieve great things. Again, it isn't the container, but the contents.

Most people, upon meeting them, you would not be able to access their family background, because, as long as they were loved and cared for by someone, they are hopefully making their mark, making a difference and moving forward.

Let's not judge the book by it's cover, but the contents. My biggest dream for my kids is love, acceptance and understanding. Not college degrees or who they marry (and they will be able to marry whoever the hell they love). That the world love them for who they are and where they came from.