Divorce? Yeah, I'm one of those statistics. About a year after my son was born, my ex-wife went absolutely ape-poop. She discovered a love of poker that completely wiped my well-planned and cultivated retirement accounts (well into six-figures by that point.), which, when coupled with a few other activities she started pursuing, spelled an end to my carefully mapped life.
I was left broke and broken-hearted (yeah, boo-hoo ) with a little guy that needed a Dad. My responsibilities to him were probably the only thing which kept me from regressing into my 22-25 year-old self--the wildly unpredictable, self-destructive and unpleasant character that I used to be.
Some time later, cue an amazing young woman. In spite of how well we got along, the last thing I wanted to do was add the headaches of maintaining an adult relationship to the difficulties inherent in parenting; I wasn't about to let another woman steal time and energy from what I should be focused on.
I was still angry, bitter, and distrusting, and instead of trying to fix me, Laura gave me the time and space I needed to fix myself. All my strong negative feelings faded into amused indifference, and my boy and I fell in love with her wit, intelligence and character. Her extended family, in turn, embraced these two boys she loved (a marked difference from my relationship with my ex-in-laws) and "adopted" us fully into their hearts and lives.
We have been married less than a year, but I have full confidence that whatever comes to bite us in the collective fanny will be handled well, and as a team. We're poor as hell right now, but my job is good and reasonably secure, allowing Laura to finish her education. We're devoted to our son (we don't use the "step" word, which creates some confusion for people, due to Vaughan's distinctly Asian appearance.) and each other.

I'm fortunate that Laura loves me kilted, but I know that she would support my decision to wear one regardless. We all three simply are who we are, and love ourselves and each other because of it. The phrase "in spite of..." just doesn't come into play.

Lucky? That doesn't even scratch the surface!