I’m Liz, 25, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that love doesn’t disappear after a divorce—it simply changes form. My parents, David and Laura, separated when I was 15. Mom raised my brother Sam and me with kindness and never spoke badly about Dad. Over time, even though it wasn’t always easy, our family found its balance.

A few years ag, Dad met Amanda. She was younger and friendly, though at times she made small comparisons to Mom that didn’t feel necessary. Dad always responded with fairness, but her words occasionally left me uneasy. When Dad announced his engagement, I congratulated him, choosing to stay hopeful that everything would work out well.

At a family dinner to celebrate the upcoming wedding, everything began joyfully. But when my grandmother fondly mentioned Mom, Amanda laughed and said something that made the room fall silent. Sam spoke up in Mom’s defense, and Dad, visibly moved, explained that he could not move forward with someone who didn’t show respect for the mother of his children.

Later, Dad told us that no matter what had happened in the past, Mom deserved lifelong appreciation for the role she played in our lives. That evening reminded me that true love isn’t about erasing history but honoring it. Our family may not be perfect, but sharing ice cream together afterward showed me that respect and care can keep us connected through every change.