It was a Sunday afternoon and my siblings, mom and I were at the mall Christmas shopping. We had just walked into Old Navy and Mom’s phone rang. I answered.

It was that phone call that changed my life forever, and that phone call that made December 22nd, 2013 the worst day of my life, thus far.

When I answered the phone, Dad said, “Where’s mom?" and he sounded very angry. I gave the phone to my mom, and in a matter of 30 seconds she had tears in her eyes and had hung up the phone and said, “Let’s go."

I had no idea what had happened, but I knew it wasn’t good. When we got home I went straight to my bedroom and started crying. The walls were very thin and I could hear every word that was leaving my dad's mouth. It was all words, until I heard Dad ask Mom for a divorce.

"I want a divorce."

Those four words have stuck with me ever since that cold bitter afternoon. The weather fit the mood perfectly.

December 22nd, 2013 is the worst day of my life because in a matter of seconds my family was broken. We were split up and nothing has been the same since.

My parents' separation effected me and my siblings immensely.

Nobody really knew the affects it had on me because I kept it all bottled up inside. I feared trusting someone with my heart. I feared that I would never be good enough. I feared ever getting married.

After my parents separated I was at the lowest I had ever been and right when I thought I didn’t need anybody, I found that special somebody.

I found the girl who would change my mind about love. I realized that no matter how many people around me were divorced, their destiny was not mine. I knew that if I wanted something to last that it was going to be between my partner and I and not based on past love stories.

I believed in what I had and last weekend I married my best friend. I fought for a fairytale ending and every single day I will get to live that.

My parents separating was a tragedy; however, me learning from their relationship and other relationships led me to a beautiful ending.

I want everyone to know that love is real and nobody else's stories should effect the way you love. Go after love because one day you are going to find the one who makes everything else make sense!

And to my siblings, don't be afraid. Living in fear of what could happen is not fair to yourself or your partner. I know it's scary, but I also know that good things can come from giving your complete self to someone else. Believe in your relationships and believe in yourself because you deserve the best love out there.