It's not uncommon in today's society to have divorced parents, myself being one of those people who do. I could go on and on about how having my parents not be together is horrible and how somehow them not being married has had a negative impact on my life, but I would be lying. Having divorced parents is actually the best thing that could have happened to me; here's why.

New people were brought into my life.

So maybe my parents weren't soulmates, but luckily, they ended up finding people who were. Because of them finding the loves of their lives, I was able to gain a half brother and two step-siblings. Without that divorce, I wouldn't have added an amazing stepmom who treats me like her own and twice the family I had before. I can't even picture my life without them in it, because that's how much they truly mean to me. They are my family and the biggest support team I have, and I am grateful that my parents got divorced so that I could have them.

It taught me that life isn't perfect.

One of the biggest lessons I learned from my parent's divorce was that life isn't always going to work out the way that you want it to. Yes, you might meet somebody who you think is the one and plan your life around them, hoping everything will turn out perfect; but you can't tell the future. I've learned that everything happens for a reason, and that is the honest truth. I would much rather have my parents be separated and happy without each other than to be stuck in a marriage consisting of fights and arguments about nonsense. Ideally, yes, everyone wants to have a marriage that lasts for the rest of their lives, but realistically, life isn't perfect.

It helped me grow up.

When you're young and carefree, you are usually still getting help from your parents 24/7. With parents that are separated, you don't get that nearly as much. I lived with just my dad and sister for a huge part of my maturing phase, and it taught me everything that makes me who I am today. I had to make dinners with my younger sister for ourselves in elementary school when he had to work late, or learn to do our own laundry if we needed something and nobody was home to help us. I wouldn't trade any of these things for the world, because it taught me that it's better to learn things that you will use for the rest of your life early on so that you can depend on yourself and not others. I constantly thank my parents for raising us to do things without their help and assistance, because without those times, I wouldn't be the young adult I am today.

Divorce taught me who I am today.

I was blessed by my parent's divorce because it gave me realistic expectations about the world. It taught me that life isn't roses and rainbows, and I cannot picture my life without divorced parents. I still manage to talk to both of them equally and love them just as much as though they were married, and ultimately, their divorce had nothing but positive influences on my life.