re: Dealing with a parent remarrying after one dies?

My dad passed when I was 16. He and my mom had been married for almost 25 years. She remarried around 3 years after his death.

I was FURIOUS when they told me. For me, 3 years was not long enough. For my mother, it was a lifetime.

She was lonely, she met a wonderful man who adores her and she deserves happiness.

18 years or so later, I have an amazing relationship with my stepdad, I gained 2 awesome brothers (I grew up with an older sister so having boy siblings is fun!), a sister-in-law who I adore, and a precious niece and nephew.

There are things that are unique to my experience, for sure...my dad was sick my entire life, so his death was not shocking (although you're never ready, obviously), and I was very young so I feel like my reaction was pretty reasonable, if not expected.

The fact remains, though, that it takes some time to process, and while it may never get "better", it does get easier. Take it day to day, talk it out as long as you need to, and it's okay to be angry, hurt, sad, etc. Your feelings are authentic, and valid, and you can be happy for your Dad while still being sad for yourself.

So sorry for your loss <3. Hang in there.