Check it Off the List - My First Single Mom Holiday.

And, there you have it. My first major holiday as a single mom of three; the Manager, the Daisy Picker, and the Man Cub, is in the books.

I was so convinced that I would be an emotional wreck and spend the day ugly crying into my eight millionth cup of coffee, but you know what? It wasn't that bad. I mean, yeah. I did a little emotional eating (Does your neighborhood do that Elf treat thing? Mine does, and thanklittlebabyjesus for it) and I may had some irrational moments - like the time I watched the final episode of SOA while putting together a Cars table for the Man Cub at one a.m. Christmas Morning (not my best choice of programming for an already emotional task #allllthescrews), but I MADE IT.

He came over at 6 am and waited in the family room until they all woke up, and then together but separate, we watched as the kids tore open their gifts and stockings. After the wreckage and while they were all wrapped up in little ponies, art sets, and cars, we made breakfast; together but separate - I manned the waffles while he made the bacon - and it was all okay.

There were no tears, there was no yelling. There wasn't a single disagreement or harsh word. The conversation was surface and safe. And later, after the last cookie was eaten and three sets of eyes were drooping with Christmas exhaustion, he left. He went back to the room he rents. Back to his borrowed blankets in someone else's home. Away from the four walls we built together. Away from 

us. Away from what was and into what is.

And it was all okay.