Signed!

[SadDad]

Well....after 18 months I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

We just met and she signed all the documents: Decree, Parenting Plan, Support Order and final Financial Affidavit.

Will all arrive at my lawyers tomorrow and be filed with teh court before Monday. Then teh docs go before the judge and hopefully a signed divorce in less than 45 days.

Not really sure how to feel. A bit wasted.

Could have never made it here without all of your support. I went from a scared, sniveling, emotional, ball-less enabler to a "List" wielding advocate for my children. Thanks will never be enough.

[RC211V]

Congrats. Happy with the outcome?

[Fatheroffour]

Congratulations, Saddad.

[SadDad]

Thanks Guys!

Happy?

Not sure. I dont think I could ever me happy not seeing my kids everyday for the rest of my life. Im happy they are safe and healthy and emotional strong, happy I am primary and see them the majority of time, happy their mom is sober, happy that as an involved Dad I will forever be a driving positive force in their lives. But knowing there will be nights they wake up crying, or are sick throwing up and ill never be there when they call out for me will break my heart for a long, long time.

I guess Im more relieved this mess is over (although the financial mess will be around for years to come) BUT, from a personal standpoint knowing that I can rebuild and start new is the biggest victory.

I told my Dad last night that this almost 5 year process felt like I was up in a plane all alone. Forever circling in a holding pattern while the world went on without me. Now I can hear the landing gear open up as I approach the runway....

[capslock]

Congrats. How old are your kids?

[Trevor]

Congrats, SadDad.

Where'd you get the idea that even happily married parents get to see their kids every day for the rest of their lives? Did you somehow skip high school as a kid? [Rhet.]

The kid'll be fine when they wake up unwell and either parent is there for them. Of course you'd rather it would be you, but you need to be realistic about the fact that kids need time with both parents and that they'd be with mom some of the time.

Stop using hyperbole with yourself and keep being a great Dad. I ended up with EOW but I see my now-adult kids all the time and they cherish the time together, as do I. Don't beat yourself up, the divorce is final!

[SadDad]

Thank Trevor! You are absolutely right. Even though its a big "victory" just a little post signing blues I guess. That too shall pass. Ive been through 1000x worse to be sure.

They are s12,s10 and d8 caplock.

[jamessick]

Name change in order. Rad-Dad maybe?

Well done sir. Bring the ship into harbor and park it. Its been a long voyage. Restock supplies and get ready for the next one. Wiser, armed and FREAKIN dangerous.

[KeepingMyKids]

Many congrats to you!

[RC211V]

I don't know if my perspective is completely analogous, or if anybody else would agree with me, but I kinda feel like I had to let my kids grow up sooner than some parents. I'm their dad wherever we are, and they can contact me any time, but I'm not in close proximity quite as much as some parents (although I am in proximity a lot more than some parents who aren't divorced). But it's sort of like when your kid goes to college maybe, or starts fulltime school, or maybe when they move away for whatever. It just happened a little earlier than I figured it would. But our relationship is still real and makes me happy, and I feel like they are happy too.