OP, this made me cry. I am right in the thick of it, three kids, one in MS, two in HS, deadbeat dad who was sort of semi-around for the first few years and then did some really messed up stuff and my kids have been estranged from him for years now, so it's just me + three.

I was actually looking around this forum looking to see if there were a section or just a thread for those of us who are raising kids more or less on our own, and I stumbled upon this post. It was just what I needed.

Thank you for sharing your pride and joy those few years back. It means a lot to share in it with you, to read your update, to connect with the pride and hard work and love you have for your daughter, and she has for you.

I appreciate it a lot. Thank you.

OP thanks for the update. Glad things are going so well for both your daughter and you.

I have to say I'm jealous ... I'm 38 and pregnant and your life sounds awesome!!! I want it.

OP, you rock. So glad to hear the update and hear that you and your daughter are thriving.

OP, I love this update so much. I'm so happy for you.

Life is a journey, thanks for the update, OP! Still rooting for you and your daughter!

I'm the OP!!!!

I love that this thread popped back up

Life has been interesting since I last posted. DD goes to a school in the Northeast and is actually spending this year living in Europe studying abroad. She's studying linguistics and a foreign language and loves college life, her internships here in DC over the summer and just this whole new phase. She's spent a lot of time thinking about peace corps, which I think her living abroad will either move her toward or away from. It's so thrilling to watch.

My life has been great. As I mentioned, I have traveled a ton. I spent a month in Europe and got to see all of the sights. I spent a summer in Asia, teaching and traveling, which was an adventure unto itself. On a complete whim, my DD and I went to Buenos Aires for Christmas and spent the holidays celebrating in the warm sun in December.

I still work full-time in the school system. I love my job, and I work with a funny, kind group of people. I've run six marathons, including one on the great wall of china! I still in my townhouse, but it oddly feels much less crowded as I'm alone there so much of time. I've thought about renting a room to a student or something but always land on that it is probably more work than the company would be worth.

Dating has been...interesting. My love life has sort of been a big nothing. When I was raising DD, I wasn't interesting in giving up time or energy to any of the guys I dated. Sure, they seemed nice, but push come to shove, no one really captured my interest. I sort of had a bit of a freak out when DD left and tried to throw myself into dating. The results ranged from bad to hilarious. A lot of the guys my age suddenly had an urge to start families and were keen as to whether I'd be open to that sort of thing. Which while in theory is possible is pretty much a solid no on my end. Other guys were typical shady jerks or married or wanted things I had no interest in. I wanted to meet someone to share interests, travel, etc. but I had no interest in being a friend with benefits or side piece or whatever the kids are calling it today.

I did meet someone a year a ago. We have been dating and the most interesting thing is neither one of us is interested in the whole being married, living together thing. We enjoy each other's company exclusively, but we live our lives in our own space and it seems to work well for us. If someone told me at 20, I'd be here now, I'd tell them they were crazy. But life is funny that way. Sometimes the thing you truly want or need isn't something you could even imagine. I'm learning that. Still.

Congratuations to you and your daughter! Your story sounds a lot like mine. My daughter is just going into high school. You should feel very proud and I wish your daughter even more success going forward.

Anonymous wrote:Hey guys this is a 2 year old post. Maybe your bump up will find the OP and she'll update on her life and hopefully new adventures.

I love this old thread, and I hope OP and her child are doing fabulously. <3

This encourages me so much

Hey guys this is a 2 year old post. Maybe your bump up will find the OP and she'll update on her life and hopefully new adventures.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know where to post this, but my daughter was just accepted to every school she applied including several top schools that will cover her tuition since I make less than 125K.

OP, sorry to hijack your post -- is that $125K really an important number? (DH and I together make 123K exactly combined right now and I'm wondering if DS will qualify for any financial assistance if he gets into any top schools.)

Not to take away from the OP's success story, but this struck me as well. I am a single parent with two children making less than that and got no financial assistance, only loans.

125K was the magic number for full grant based aid at Uchicago. I imagine many other schools that are elite and well endowed follow this pattern.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know where to post this, but my daughter was just accepted to every school she applied including several top schools that will cover her tuition since I make less than 125K.

OP, sorry to hijack your post -- is that $125K really an important number? (DH and I together make 123K exactly combined right now and I'm wondering if DS will qualify for any financial assistance if he gets into any top schools.)

Not to take away from the OP's success story, but this struck me as well. I am a single parent with two children making less than that and got no financial assistance, only loans.