Grace and Frankie, Netflix’s new funny and fearless original comedy featuring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston, is a perfect example of how today’s families can shift, rearrange and blend in unexpected ways. When Grace and Frankie’s husbands leave them after 20 years of marriage—to be with each other—the women find themselves facing a change that they never expected, but they shift their perspective to get through it together with the support of their new blended family and, of course, a sense of humor. 

I am going to share a few things about myself and my family that I have never discussed on my blog in hopes to encourage you to celebrate the things that make families unique! When I was just 18 years old I discovered that I was pregnant, I welcomed my beautiful baby girls just a few months after turning 19. Her father and I were just kids ourselves when we brought our baby girl home and to say we were forced to grow up fast would be an understatement. Being teen parents was by far one of the hardest challenges of our lives, but my husband worked hard to better our lives and for that I am grateful. Nine years later and we now have three beautiful children and life could not be more perfect. Our path may not have been in a perfect order, we may have overcome unimaginable struggles, but that is what makes our family unique. Just the other day my 9 year old came home and told me that her friends told her that it was not possible for her mom to only be 28 years old. I explained to her that I was just a teenager when I had her and that it was nothing to be ashamed about… that our family may be unique but that is what makes us so special! Every family has their own story to tell, something that makes them different and that is so amazing! Let us not only celebrate the things that make families unique, but teach our children to be accepting of all families, no matter how different they may seem from their own.