Single-again Samantha talks with Mama about finding love after divorce

I was raised to believe that marriage is for life, so was totally unprepared for the shame and sense of failure that comes with divorce. Fortunately, I was also raised to put on my face and make the most of a situation, even if it is a bad one.

Which is not to say that divorce is a walk in the park. The fear of becoming a single parent and going back to work full time, not to mention the grief and loneliness of separation, were emotions for which I was wholly unprepared. They say that divorce is like an amputation: you survive it, but there’s less of you to go around. That sure was the case for me. But I bit the bullet and slowly, slowly began to feel myself start to heal.

It’s been five years and now I’m a happy (albeit hardworking) mom with a good network of support and something that roughly resembles a social life. I tell my friends that I got married so I didn’t have to work, and now work so I don’t have to get married. But I’m just kidding – naturally, I’m still looking for that seemingly elusive love. I’m just no longer prepared to settle for it, as I once was. I see my story as a journey towards finding – and befriending – a better me, and the freedom my solo status gives me allows me to truly commit to that ride.

Hopefully there’s a knight in shining armor at the end of it, but if not, I’ll be happy with a new pair of Jimmy Choos and the knowledge that I didn’t go down without a fight.

– Single-again Samantha