I had a bitter divorce with my ex-husband. I didn't expect his new wife to become one of my best friends years later.

I never expected to become best friends with my ex-husband's new wife.

Courtesy of Jeanni Ritchie.

• When my ex-husband began dating, I wanted to meet the woman who would be spending time with my kids.
• Despite some initial coparenting challenges, we bonded over shared experiences and family ties.
• Now she's one of my closest friends, someone I can depend on in good times and bad.

Patti has become one of my closest friends. We go to shows, crawfish boils, and out to eat.