Story time: I Lost a Daughter. She Lost Her Third Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day!

I am a lucky mama today. My own mom texted me from Venice, where she’s enjoying a vacation of a lifetime with her partner. My two teen daughters are coming over with their dad shortly, to help me with a big house project—my requested celebration of the day.

I’m so grateful.

But I didn’t want Mother’s Day to pass without acknowledgement of an old heartache, diminished with time but still present—the loss of a little girl who, for a couple years, many years ago, felt like my third daughter.

I lost her when I lost him.

I know there must be many like me—former stepmoms and ex-girlfriends who lost a child in a breakup.

This story is for all of you.