57

HAPPILY EVER AFTER BLENDING FAMILIES

You’ve started volunteering at a local food bank on Saturdays; it was one of the few such opportunities you found where you were able to bring Lily with you. The two of you separate out donated food and hygiene supplies and line them up on the shelves in the storeroom. Although you’re not sure how much of a life lesson she is taking from the activity at the age of five, Lily does love the organizational aspect of it. You feel good that you’re able to set a good example for her and give back to your community in a small way.

You are also saying yes to more of the fundraising and charity celebrations that your friends and colleagues invite you to. At one luncheon for an organization that provides STEM mentorship for underserved youth, you end up striking up a conversation with a friend of your colleague, a man named Patrick. You and Patrick are both moved by the presentation and decide to grab coffee afterwards to talk more about it. You can’t lie to yourself: it wasn’t just the presentation that has you interested in coffee with him. Patrick is handsome and interesting to talk to.

Patrick was the college roommate of your coworker who invited you to the luncheon. He is a recently divorced father of two who works in finance and plays racquetball on weekends. Although he is more preppy than your usual taste, the two of you have an immediate chemistry. You start getting a babysitter every other Saturday to go on dates with him, on the nights that he doesn’t have his kids. As a single mother, you can’t manage much more than that for a while, and you’re not ready for him to meet Lily yet.

However, after several months of casual dating, you and Patrick decide that you really have feelings for each other. It’s time to introduce your kids. Despite all of your worry over the introduction, Lily takes an immediate liking to Patrick. He builds a Lego castle with her and she’s practically smitten.

• • •

Two years later, you and Patrick move in together. Lily is, of course, with you full-time and Patrick’s two children, Bella and Mason, stay with you every other week. They are two and four years older than her, respectively. Although she needs some work to get used to sharing toys and attention, Lily loves having them to play with. They are like the 16 percent of children in the US living in a blended family.¹

You continue to pay the minimum on your student loans and add an extra payment on when you’re able. It takes longer than it might have, but fourteen years later, you are finally debt-free.

You and Patrick eventually end up deciding to get married. All three children, as well as your new puppy Oscar, are in the wedding. Your household is large and messy, and you wouldn’t have it any other way. You live happily ever after as a blended family.

The End

(Want to see what would have happened if you had decided to pay your student loans back faster instead? Turn back to Chapter 40 and make a different choice. Or if you’ve explored all the paths, turn to the Epilogue.)