I agonized for years over when was the right time to tell our daughter that her dad and I had each been married before. No, it’s not something that any four-year-old needs to worry her pretty little head about, but I knew it would come out at some time—and wanted to be the one to deliver the news. When it finally came to light, grades later, from some random comment about a wedding dress or the like, it was less tumultuous than I had anticipated. But it was emotional for all of us.

Why the heavy thinking? As those of us who have “been there, done that” know, anything that varies from the one-love-of-my-life, happily-ever-after story line carries with it a whole bouquet of feelings reeling from guilt to failure, of comparisons and petty jealousies and wishes that we were number one, however impossible that may be.

Society does its part to underscore all of those shortcomings. It might be with a down-turned glance or sneer, however slight, upon hearing the news of a divorce. The joy in ending a bad situation is always tempered by the “oh, I’m sorry” sentiments from friends and family, even if they hated the guy (or gal). And the new joy you felt when finding someone new is tempered by the fact that they never told you they disliked the old guy, so can you trust that they do, in fact, love the new one like you do? Or if they so loved your wife before she passed, how can they ever see a new woman in those shoes? You’re thrilled with the fact that you’ve found someone new—does anyone share your glee? I won’t even start about “their” kids.

Baggage handlers, beware: There is a mountain of issues standing before you on this journey into remarriage. And it doesn’t end when you come down the aisle, or even when you send those stepkids off to college.

But we’re here to stare those issues down. Knock them down, stomp on ‘em, scream out that they should just go away. We know they’ll still lurk, secreted back behind our best intentions.

We aim to shine a bright light there, with entertaining and hopeful articles large and small. We’ll walk into those struggling households, ask impertinent questions, offer up some practical answers. We’ll tease teenagers into talking. We’ll drag feelings out of new husbands, and stand by with our armour when the evil ex-mother-in-law stories are hurled our way. We’ll roll out beautiful homes that have emerged from two divergent households, and even more beautiful wedding dresses that defied the white, poufy, long-train trend. Take a peek at our editorial calendar to find out just what we have in store for issues to come.

We want to hear from you—not just rants and raves, but about your unique detours around sensitive conversations and more dangerous arguments. Or, if you’re looking for that elusive answer to what seems like an impossible impasse. Your stories will make others feel sane again.

Just as love can be sweeter the second time around, so we can show those naysayers that, yes, remarriage can be a joy, and reMarriage a joyful glimpse into its heart.

Kathy Ely
Editor at Large