This Christmas Day may go down as one of my favorite ones ever. It has nothing to do with the gifts I gave or the gifts I received, but it has everything to do with who was present in body and who was present in spirit. It wasn’t a white Christmas, but it was the right Christmas indeed, as it was all about family, friends, and relaxation.
Our day began with our family of four, my ex-husband, our two daughters, and me, gathered around the Christmas tree in my home to open presents together. This is exactly how my daughters have spent every Christmas, and the fact that this tradition has continued even after my ex-husband and I divorced three years ago is a true gift for all of us. There is nothing awkward or tense about it at all, and we had a lovely morning together.
Our day ended again as a family of four enjoying a homemade dinner prepared by my ex-husband at his home. We all ate in our pajamas and watched some of our favorite Christmas movies and shows together before my daughters and I returned home for a quiet evening of more Christmas shows and snuggling. As we drove home, my oldest daughter took notice of all of the businesses that were closed for the holiday and remarked, “I love when nothing is open. It makes things more peaceful.” Agreed!
Calls and texts with family and friends who could not be with us punctuated our day, and it reminded me that love has no boundaries and transcends the miles. Even though I cannot be with everyone I care about and love, I still felt connected to them and hope that they felt the same way, too. They may have been out of sight, but they were definitely on my mind and in my heart.
As the day comes to a close, my oldest daughter summed it up perfectly by saying, “The best part about today was that we were all together.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, and I hope that everyone was able to spend some time with people who make your heart happy and leave you smiling big time. Merry Christmas!
I agree, and I am so grateful that my ex-husband and I have remained the very best of friends to one another and the best parents possible for our daughters.
Thank you so much, and I am immensely proud of our family, as we really are a loving and unified family, despite the divorce. Our marriage ended, but our friendship did not. We still care about each other and love each other, and we both want what is best for our daughters and for one another. We are blessed indeed.
Very well said and I just want to point out how great I think you guys are doing, for spending Christmas together so peaceful. Not a lot of divorced parents manage to do that. And I think it is just great that you do! So beautiful for the kids. Well done!
Thanks so much! I understand that everyone’s relationships after a divorce are different, and I am so very grateful that my ex-husband and I parted as, and remain, devoted parents and the very best of friends. Our marital status changed, but we still love and care about each other, albeit not as spouses. It is such a joy to be able to share our daughters’ daily lives and special occasions without any conflict. It was a lovely day for all of us!
Amazing. Yes, you are probably lucky to have such a great friendship with your ex-husband. I am happy to hear stories like this too. Now there is an idea: Do you know about my feature Couples? I share stories of people, their relationships and how they found the love of their life. Now… Given that your story is a very special one too, would you care to share it? The story of you and your ex-husband and how you can still be such close friends with all the love and respect you obviously have for each other? After all it is also kind of about finding the right person. The right person to be able to keep this kind of relationship and be the parents for your kids you are supposed to be. What do you think?
Oh my gosh, I am honored that you would ask me to share our story on your blog, and I would be happy to do so. Let me know more about what you had in mind for your readers and how to submit it to you, and I will be glad to write something. I always enjoy showing that not every divorce or break-up has to be acrimonious. Thank you so much!
Check out “Couples” on my blog. Basically just write your story down and email it to me (amommasview@gmail.com) andI will put it up under “Couples” and “Your Stories” and link itback to your blog. There are a few up. Feel free to have a look around.
Thank you for sharing and for being who you are . There would have so many couples who would have benefited by reading your post and putting the pieces of their lives together . I am reminded of the following words .” It is not how much you do , but how much love you put in the doing ” Mother Teresa .
That is so very kind of you to say, and I thank you for sharing that great quote. I know that not every couple can have the type of relationship that I have with my ex-husband, but I think that it is possible for more couples out there. I am just happy and grateful to be a part of one of them.
Kristi, I am delighted you had a wonderful day and it is lovely that you and your ex are more than civil and see the greater picture for your children. Best wishes the remainder of the year and into next year. BTG
Thanks so much, and it really was a wonderful day for all of us, and I never take for granted the relationship I have with my ex-husband. We are so fortunate in so many ways, and I can only hope that our daughters will benefit greatly from this. I hope you and yours enjoy the remainder of this month and that 2015 is amazing!
So glad you had a lovely Christmas. Mine was also spent with family and my parents were so grateful to us for being there. What is so sad is people are trying to change the law so that we can open our shops on Christmas Day. It was so restful knowing that there was no mad rush for the shops and even no ads on TV. 😀
Thanks so much, and I am very happy to hear that had such a lovely holiday with your family and your parents. I hope that law does not pass, as there needs to be at least one day when businesses are closed. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
So happy you have such a wonderful relationship with your ex-husband and you all are such a wonderful family! So happy that you had a wonderful holiday together!
Kindness Blog 
Reblogged this on That's Another Story.
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When you have children together you are family forever.
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I agree, and I am so grateful that my ex-husband and I have remained the very best of friends to one another and the best parents possible for our daughters.
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What a nice story of a family being together.. No drama or strife
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Thank you so much, and I am immensely proud of our family, as we really are a loving and unified family, despite the divorce. Our marriage ended, but our friendship did not. We still care about each other and love each other, and we both want what is best for our daughters and for one another. We are blessed indeed.
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Very well said and I just want to point out how great I think you guys are doing, for spending Christmas together so peaceful. Not a lot of divorced parents manage to do that. And I think it is just great that you do! So beautiful for the kids. Well done!
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Thanks so much! I understand that everyone’s relationships after a divorce are different, and I am so very grateful that my ex-husband and I parted as, and remain, devoted parents and the very best of friends. Our marital status changed, but we still love and care about each other, albeit not as spouses. It is such a joy to be able to share our daughters’ daily lives and special occasions without any conflict. It was a lovely day for all of us!
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Amazing. Yes, you are probably lucky to have such a great friendship with your ex-husband. I am happy to hear stories like this too. Now there is an idea: Do you know about my feature Couples? I share stories of people, their relationships and how they found the love of their life. Now… Given that your story is a very special one too, would you care to share it? The story of you and your ex-husband and how you can still be such close friends with all the love and respect you obviously have for each other? After all it is also kind of about finding the right person. The right person to be able to keep this kind of relationship and be the parents for your kids you are supposed to be. What do you think?
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Oh my gosh, I am honored that you would ask me to share our story on your blog, and I would be happy to do so. Let me know more about what you had in mind for your readers and how to submit it to you, and I will be glad to write something. I always enjoy showing that not every divorce or break-up has to be acrimonious. Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Check out “Couples” on my blog. Basically just write your story down and email it to me (amommasview@gmail.com) andI will put it up under “Couples” and “Your Stories” and link itback to your blog. There are a few up. Feel free to have a look around.
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Thanks, as I will be sure to check it out and send you our story within the next few days! I so appreciate the opportunity.
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That is awesome! Thank you so much!!!
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Just getting ready to send you an email with some ideas:)
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This is how it is we our family and this is how it should be!!! Thanks for sharing your day! Xoxo
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Thanks so much, and I am glad that we are not the only family like ours:)
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Thank you for sharing and for being who you are . There would have so many couples who would have benefited by reading your post and putting the pieces of their lives together . I am reminded of the following words .” It is not how much you do , but how much love you put in the doing ” Mother Teresa .
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That is so very kind of you to say, and I thank you for sharing that great quote. I know that not every couple can have the type of relationship that I have with my ex-husband, but I think that it is possible for more couples out there. I am just happy and grateful to be a part of one of them.
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Kristi, I am delighted you had a wonderful day and it is lovely that you and your ex are more than civil and see the greater picture for your children. Best wishes the remainder of the year and into next year. BTG
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Thanks so much, and it really was a wonderful day for all of us, and I never take for granted the relationship I have with my ex-husband. We are so fortunate in so many ways, and I can only hope that our daughters will benefit greatly from this. I hope you and yours enjoy the remainder of this month and that 2015 is amazing!
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So glad you had a lovely Christmas. Mine was also spent with family and my parents were so grateful to us for being there. What is so sad is people are trying to change the law so that we can open our shops on Christmas Day. It was so restful knowing that there was no mad rush for the shops and even no ads on TV. 😀
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Thanks so much, and I am very happy to hear that had such a lovely holiday with your family and your parents. I hope that law does not pass, as there needs to be at least one day when businesses are closed. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
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I love this! Thank you.
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You are so welcome, and I thank you for reading this and for your kind comments!
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I’m glad you had a good Christmas!
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Thank you, and I hope you did, as well. Now, get ready for an amazing new year!
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Thanks!
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So happy you have such a wonderful relationship with your ex-husband and you all are such a wonderful family! So happy that you had a wonderful holiday together!
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Sheila, thank you, and we are happy about that, too:)
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