Divorce is rarely seen as a good thing. For many kids, it’s confusing, painful, and life-altering—and I won’t pretend it wasn’t hard for me too. But over time, I’ve come to realize that my parents’ divorce didn’t break my family. It reshaped it. And in that process, it became one of the biggest challenges I’ve overcome and one of the greatest sources of personal growth in my life. I was only four when my parents divorced—too young to fully understand what was happening, but not too young to feel the shift. Suddenly, there were two homes, two routines, and a constant feeling that something was missing. As a kid, I craved stability and unity. I didn’t yet see the strength it took for my parents to prioritize my sister and me over their own pain. But with time, I saw something rare happen. My parents didn’t just figure out how to coexist—they chose to work together. When my mom began dating AJ, who would become my stepdad, things didn’t fall apart—they improved. AJ, my dad, and my mom all got along. My dad and AJ even coached my sister and me on the same lacrosse teams. That kind of cooperation took maturity, effort, and open communication—not just from them, but from me as well. Living between two households taught me how to adapt, listen, and find balance. My dad lived near the city, while my mom and AJ lived in the suburbs. I experienced two different environments, two ways of life, and two sets of values. I learned to appreciate both and to take the best from each. While some kids struggle to connect with their parents, I’ve been lucky to build meaningful relationships with three of mine. My mom showed me resilience. After the divorce, she worked tirelessly to keep our home and provide for us. Even when money was tight, she focused on making sure my sister and I were safe and supported. Her strength and selflessness taught me what true dedication looks like. My dad has been my rock. He introduced me to passions like snowboarding, travel, and cooking, and he’s always been my biggest cheerleader in lacrosse. He’s consistent, supportive, and always ready to talk things through—on and off the field. And then there’s AJ—my stepdad and my mentor. He came into my life when I was five and treated my sister and me as his own from the start. AJ is a successful entrepreneur, but more importantly, he’s a man of integrity and consistency. He’s taught me the value of discipline, goal-setting, and patience. Watching him build businesses and show up for his family inspired my own passion for finance and entrepreneurship. Divorce wasn’t part of the original plan for my family. It was hard, emotional, and at times overwhelming. But it also brought incredible people into my life who’ve poured their love, wisdom, and support into me. I learned that even when life doesn’t follow a perfect script, there’s still beauty in how the story unfolds. What I hope others take from my experience is this: adversity doesn’t have to define you in a negative way. In fact, it can be the very thing that helps you grow. Not everyone’s family journey will look like mine, but I believe the core truth applies—when life shifts in ways you didn’t choose, you still get to decide how you’ll respond. I’ve learned that family isn’t always defined by traditional molds. That support can come from more people than you expect. That it’s possible to thrive in two different homes, and build strong, lasting relationships in each. And most of all, I’ve learned that the parts of your story that feel messy or broken are often the ones that make you the strongest. I wouldn’t wish divorce on any child—but I also wouldn’t trade the lessons I’ve learned or the relationships I’ve built. Because in the end, I wasn’t broken by it. I was shaped by it. And I know that’s made me a better person—and a more determined future entrepreneur.