My former 18 year old step son sent me thing today:

Good morning Sweet!

So I'm graduating this year and I want my entire family to attend my graduation party on the 25th (if they can of course). However, I have a dilemma, I do not have the addresses for Uncle J, Aunt J, Grandma and Grandpa , or Aunt P. I am wanting to send them each a grad party invitation and would apple it their addresses. Hahaha.

Thanks Sweet! I love you,
T

This brought tears to my eyes. I often wonder why my path was to end up with a man who cost me everything, who abused me, why did I allow myself to settle my only child with a mentally ill, selfish father... I am a good person, hard working, loving caring....

I believe that I was lead done that path so that I was their for the 2 stepsons. So their younger years when they were with their dad was better, because I picked up the slack when their father lay around and did nothing. I loved them and cared for them and kept them safe.

I ended up being friends with their mother over the 11 years I have known them. I cried when I read the email and I sent her this and here is her response.

ME: I got it and it made me cry. Thanks for always being so good to me and allowing them to love me.

BM: It was their choice to love you … and it still is their choice.They love the people that care for them and love them back … thank you for doing that. J

My ex in his crappy demanding way has asked to take our son to an awards ceremony & graduation for SS. He does not have and agreed to no week day visitation in our divorce. They will be pretty late nights for a kid who goes to bed at 8pm and has to be up at 6am. I will let him go and will most likely be late for work the next day. My son loves his brother's and they love him.