Of course I'm thankful for my partner, for my smart and healthy sons, for my health and my fantastic job. I'm thankful for my partner's family who have welcomed me as one of their own, albeit in their own good time. For some reason, though, today I'm grateful for my ex.

I'm thankful that he gave me the opportunity to get the big mistakes out of the way while I was still young enough to recover. I'm thankful that I was able to get all of my jealous crap, my controlling crap, my resentful crap out of my system before I met my current partner. I'm thankful that despite the indescribable levels of drama and mayhem, he has stayed my friend.

I'm thankful for the amazing father he's become. People are always so sympathetic when they hear I divorced so young — I tell people I'm divorced because it's easier than explaining — but they don't realize what a blessing it's been. I tell them that my ex is a great guy and a great father, just not the right husband for me.

If anyone needs a great ex-husband, he'll get my reference anytime.