Daily Story: Woman Receives a Letter from Her Husband’s Ex-Wife

With high divorce rates and children being born out of wedlock on the rise, many former couples have to make extra effort to co-parent their children mindfully. A letter circulating on the internet shows what that looks like in the real world. Read it until the end.

"

,

I never wanted you here. You simply were never part of the plan. Growing up and dreaming of my family I never included you. I didn’t want help from another woman to raise my child. The plan was for my family to include me, daddy, and our children, not you.

I doubt you ever wanted me in your life. I doubt you planned to mother a child that you didn’t give birth to. I can bet that your plan for your family included you, daddy and your children together, not me or my daughter. I can almost bet that when you dreamed of becoming a mother, it would be the day you gave birth and not the day you married your husband. I’m pretty sure you never planned on me being here.

But God has plans that far exceed our own and when my little family dissolved to form two families, I knew you would be coming.

In my mind you would be a terrible beast and my daughter would not want you to mother her at all, ever! I was hoping that you would be semi unattractive and prayed my daughter wouldn’t look up to you. Her daddy would know that he was settling for second best. Evil swirled in me because I never wanted to face the fact that another woman would mother my child in my absence. Then you arrived.

When I first met you, I’ll admit you weren’t what I had in mind, and a twinge of jealousy shot through my body. You were supposed to be hideous, remember? But you weren’t, you were stunningly beautiful. You were supposed to be a mean old hag, remember? But you weren’t, you were a young, sweet woman. My plans were foiled.

I realized by the look on your face that meeting me was just as hard as it was for me to meet you. My heart immediately softened. Darn your kind smile! I was planning on really hating you. Why are you ruining my plan?! I wanted to resent you, but you made it impossible and I quickly grew thankful for you.

You’ve accepted our daughter from the very start and have unconditionally loved both her and her daddy, that’s a true gift to all of us. You’ve included our daughter in everything you do and make her feel loved and accepted. You put her relationship with her daddy above yours and only a brave and courageous woman knows how to do that with such grace.

I knew when her daddy and I decided to divorce and live in separate homes, there would be times when she would need me, her mommy, and I wouldn’t be there. I’m so thankful that you are there in my absence. I’m grateful that you have mercy in her teen years and never reject her. She needs a mommy at your house, and you’ve done an amazing job being that for her.

You’ve respected my position as mom from the very start. I appreciate that you always check with me when you question if you are making the right decision with her. I know our situation is rare. It’s not often that a mom and step-mom text each other to remind each other that they love and respect each other. You are a gift.

Because of you and your courage to mother our daughter the way that you do, she will be a better woman. She will grow up with more love than I could have ever imagined. It wasn’t her choice to have divorced parents and even though I wouldn’t wish that on any child, I am so thankful that she now has four parents who love and respect her and each other. She’s compassionate because of it and understands that a failure in one area can turn into a blessing in another.

I don’t see you as a fill in for when I’m not there. You are her mother when she’s with you and when she’s with me. She’s excited to call you and tell you her stories when she’s at my house, and that makes my heart want to jump from my chest with joy. I fill with pride when you wrap your arms around me and squeeze for a genuine and loving hug each time we see each other.

I am extremely aware of what it looks like when a mother cannot emotionally accept her child’s step-mother in their life. Gratefulness pours heavily from me that we are able to rise above anything like that and do what is truly right for our daughter. Thank you for being mature enough and respectful enough to co-parent with me.

I promise to always respect your input for our daughter. I promise never to lessen the position you hold in her life or make you feel like you are not her mother. I promise to raise her to be grateful to have two strong and brave women in her life that have the courage to mother her together. Even though our situation is peaceful, I pray that she is never in it, but if she ever finds herself here, I promise to set an example for her of what co-parenting should look like.

Precious woman, you are a rare and beautiful gem. God bless you, and I love you."

This is the reply from the step-mom after millions read the letter:

“Candice, I don’t know what to say. I am not good with words like you are and the way you express yourself...All I can say is I am crying like at the end of 'The Notebook'...you make me feel so special …Thank you for this letter. It made my day and I will keep it close to my heart always. Love you.”

There isn't a single person who did not get teary-eyed reading this. Share this heartwarming story with your friends.

But not all co-parenting turns out this wholesome. "Love and Hip Hop Atlanta" aired an episode about Erica Dixon and her ex, rapper Lil Scrappy's issues with co-parenting their daughter Emani since their separation.

Scrappy admitted to having little to no communication with Erica except for sending child support checks. In the episode, Erica blamed Scrappy's wife Bambi for their lack of communication.

Bambi shared that the situation as it stands is perfect for her and that no communication is necessary as long as Scrappy remains current with child support payments.

Fans took to Twitter to call out the deadbeat rapper and his "The Bam" as their nonexistent relationship was not healthy for Emani who needs her father in her life.

They encouraged Bambi to be the bigger person and open the lines of communication between Scrappy and Erica for the sake of their child.