After many couples get divorced, they find it difficult to maintain a friendship. Sure, they might be civil toward one another, but to actually be friends? That takes a certain type of character in both people to make it happen. And you’re about to see one of the finest examples of this.
A story was submitted on the internet by Codie LaChelle McPhate (Facebook post no longer available) and recently republished by Cafe Mom. The teen was so in awe of their divorced parents, they had to share it with the world.
“This is my dad, mowing my mom’s lawn. They’ve been divorced 28 years,” they begin their post, sharing a seemingly unremarkable photo.
However, the photo is anything but unremarkable. In fact, it’s quite remarkable indeed. In case you missed that last little sentence, the couple has been divorced for nearly three decades. Apparently, the younger siblings in the family were also a bit baffled by the gesture, however, Codie knew exactly what was going on.
“My mom has bad knees, and my stepdad works out of town. When my younger siblings questioned, ‘Why is your dad mowing mom’s lawn?’ I told them, ‘Because, she needed help, and he knew she couldn’t get out here to do it, so he did.'”
This is co-parenting.
Not only does Codie realize that both of her parents are incredibly special people. She also is grateful for both of her new parents, her step-parents, for being so graciously accepting of the situation.
“This is how lucky I am to have four parents who respect each other, and know that at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is showing your children (even ones that are 32 years old) how to treat people and how to love your family, no matter how it came together,” she continued.
As if the gesture wasn’t sweet enough, Codie reveals that her dad doesn’t even live near her mom.
“My dad is with me in Texas on vacation. He doesn’t even live here where my mom lives,” she says. “So not only did he do something selflessly for her, he did it for her while he was on his VACATION. He wants everyone to know, ‘I’m no saint.’ He just wants to show others that you don’t need to act like an angelic pastor on Lent, but that we should all choose kindness whenever we can.”
If there are any couples that have gone through or are going through a divorce or separation, you might be wondering – how on earth do they do it? Well, this dad says he doesn’t want any recognition for his behavior, it was simply what he and his ex-wife decided to do once they were divorced.
“He said my mom and he decided when they were going through their divorce they would both choose to be adults and treat each other with respect and compassion, because no matter how their marriage ended, they both loved each other very much at one point, and that that love — counts for something. That if they were going to raise their children to be good, kind people, they needed to be good kind people.”
These two incredible couples should be looked up to and admired for their amazing civility and compassion for each other.
Codie concludes their message and story with her gratitude for being raised by such wonderful people. And, there’s one thing for certain – we’d have to wholeheartedly agree.
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