Kristin, 
Tears streaming and teeth grinding for every jackass (not at all referring to your friend, Jennifer) who has held up their 15, 20, 25+year marriage to me in that smarmy kind of way since my divorce in 1999 (as if they conveniently forgot I'd been part of a colossal failure). It reminds me of the Jackson Browne song, "These Days." 

<i>These days I sit on corner stones
And count the time in quarter tones to ten, my friend
Don't confront me with my failures
I had not forgotten them</i>

My modest six years (at 41) with Robert has not even reached the 7-year itch of doom. I recognize that a lot can happen in two and a half decade, and there is something very precious about holding on to the brides and the grooms of our youth. But, there is something said for "taking another lover...it's hard to risk another, these days..." (Jackson Browne). 

Only people (like Naomi) who have gone through divorce will fully grasp the enormity of this post. The failure is always there. Like the song says, I find myself marking time in quarter tones.

I've been working on a post about blended families for weeks. I just haven't had the courage to write it. This post will help me walk toward completion a little braver.