the cast

I don’t know about you, but I often have a hard time following all the characters in the lives of my favorite bloggers. So, I developed this Handy-Dandy Cheat Sheet for the recurring cast of characters appearing regularly in the drama that is my life. 

“Sabrina” — My 18-year-old daughter.  Super smart.  Super sensitive.  Wise beyond her years, and kinder than I could have ever asked for.

“Bryn” — My 15-year-old daughter.  A huge personality in petite-sized body.  A natural leader, awesome snuggler, and fearless gymnast.

“Bryce” — My ex-husband.  A basically good guy who simply wasn’t the right good guy for me.  Nor was I the right good woman for him.

“Mariah” — My ex-husband’s new wife.  She loves my ex-husband and his money, but makes my girls feel pointedly unwelcome in their house.  It hurts my heart, and I struggle to deal with it.

“Annie” — My closest friend in town.  Our friendship bloomed as our marriages crashed.  We have shared more tears than either of us care to remember, but now we celebrate each other’s big and little victories. 

“Caitlyn” — Dearest friend from college.  My touchstone.  When I am lost, I always find myself in her guest room.

“Achilles” — Dear friend and former fellow blogger whose calm counsel carried me through some seriously confusing and painful times.

“Mike” — First boyfriend after my marriage ended.  Broke my heart in a million ways and apologized 10 years later. Proof that we never know what the future holds.

“James” — Where to begin? We met professionally in 1998 and went on our first date in September 2010.  For more than two years after that, we were off-and-on.  And off.  And on. In December of 2012, all that changed, and by April 2013, we purchased a home and officially began blending our families.   On Christmas Day, 2015, we became engaged.  Sadly, but perhaps not surprisingly given our past, our relationship eventually fell apart, and we separated in August 2017. The greatest gift he gave me, however, was the opportunity to know and love his children. They became my children, too, and always will be. Family is not always about blood. Many of my earlier blog posts were devoted to James but you won’t find them available anymore. Time marches on, and so have I.

“Jay” — James’ 19-year-old son.  A super high-achiever and the kind of young man every single mother I know wants her daughter to marry. Handsome, considerate, and sensitive, he is the son I never had and never knew how much I wanted.

“Chelsea” — James’ 16-year-old daughter.  Outspoken, beautiful, and the heart of our family, she keeps everyone honest and amazes us with her tenacity.

“Chloe” — James’ 13-year-old daughter.  A beautiful blond who is prouder of her natural smarts than her unmistakable beauty. My shadow and baby.

Plenty of wonderful people were left off this list, but I tried to confine it to those who make frequent or regular appearances in my posts.  Given that, it will likely change as life moves on, so check back if you get lost.