Venting here. Some of this is awesome. Some horrible. But here’s my current situation:

About 8 months after my divorce, after playing the online dating game rather successfully, I reconnected with a girl I had a crush on in 6th grade. We ate oysters, went to the US Open in NY, and have a fantastic life now, three years later and in a dedicated, loving, and understanding relationship. She’s excellent with my kids - leaves the disciplining to me, their father. She was in a relationship where she was abused and cheated on; and so was I. We’ve bickered but never fought. We work on things as a united front. I’ve never experienced this level of maturity and commitment in a relationship, though it’s what I had always wanted, and didn’t know existed.

I waited a year to introduce her to my kids. I got feedback from my kids on every step in our relationship, and I think I did things the right way.

The ex, however, has made it her mission to bring chaos into everyone’s lives. Our children are 9 and 6. This past year, she has started dating a man, moved him into the house I bought her post-divorce, gotten pregnant, got engaged, and is now suing me for 3 years worth of “aftercare” expenses (which I don’t use) despite the fact that I have given her $1000 more per month than I am legally required to.

Her family no longer talks to her and neither do her friends, because she has been so ugly to them. In fact, her family came to my house, not hers, for our son’s birthday party after she decided at the last minute to have separate parties.

I’m pretty disgusted by this. But my hope is that one day, when my kids are more mature, they’ll realize the stability I attempted to create amidst the chaos they were thrown into at their other house.

There are people out there who can be good for you. I found a great woman who doesn’t care about my money, status, or anything superficial. I’m so happy with her. And it will be more than 10 years before I get to wipe my hands of the woman I thought I loved, who burned me so bad. It’s all bittersweet. But worth it.

Praying for yall, in my way. Asking for the same. Cheers, gentlemen.