My family and the extended family of my former partner were characterised by a very special, very lively dynamic that enriched me greatly. My two daughters are now grown up, have completed their studies and found their wonderful place in life. One of them has become a mother herself, and my grandchild is just wonderful. He is so lively and curious, and he enriches all of our lives. This connection was truly special because my grandchild and the children of my former partner were very close and got along incredibly well. Despite their different backgrounds and life stories, they were not far apart in age – they were all still children, full of energy, curiosity and imagination.
Our relationship is like a beautiful jigsaw puzzle, where each piece belongs exactly in its place and makes the whole complete. From the very beginning, we had the wonderful feeling that we were meant for each other, as if we were made for each other. We are not only kindred spirits when we experience great things together, but also in the many small moments that bind our lives together and give us so much joy. We not only share the same passions, but also the same understanding of family and the same values, which makes us very happy. It's just wonderful how everything falls into place, whether it's sports, culinary adventures together, or even how we spend our free time.
We have found a very special connection with each other that gives us a lot of joy. It's just nice to run, swim, or cheer each other on at tennis together. We motivate each other in a way that brings us together not only physically but also emotionally. For us, sport is a wonderful way to escape from everyday life and focus entirely on ourselves. Even when we just want to relax, we always find the perfect balance between exercise and rest.
Our culinary experiences are another bond that connects us very closely. She has a natural talent for creating a true feast from the simplest of ingredients that delights the palate. It's wonderful to see how creative they are in the kitchen. I'm very happy to be part of the process. She often comes up with new recipes or ideas, while I'm more of a classic cook. So our kitchen is a place where we not only cook together, but also laugh and experiment with each other. These shared moments were just wonderful and brought us even closer together.
It's just wonderful how well my children get along with her. When we met, her children were still very young – her daughter was five years old and her son eight. From the very first few weeks, I noticed how warmly they interacted with each other and was immediately thrilled. It was as if they had sensed from the very beginning that we belonged together and formed a unit. Her children not only accepted me as their mother's friend, but soon saw me as a wonderful substitute father, someone they could count on.
My partner's children were still attending primary school, while my grandchild was also at a similar stage in life. It was a very special time in which I grew very fond of my partner and her offspring. They enjoyed their time together with playful adventures, creative ideas and tireless laughter. It was just wonderful to see how they interacted with each other as if they had been siblings from the beginning. They developed a wonderful, carefree connection that was free from the typical barriers that sometimes arise between children from different family constellations. It was truly amazing how effortlessly they connected. As an adult, I could hardly believe it.
The closeness between the children was also a completely new and wonderful experience for me. My role as a grandfather was something very special anyway. I was able to take care of the children, share in their happiness and relive their joys and challenges from a new perspective. But through my partner's children, this role was wonderfully expanded. Not only did I become a grandfather to my own grandchild, but I was also able to be a kind of father figure to the two children of my then partner. They saw me as someone who supported them, who was there for them and who made them feel safe. And that was wonderful, because I wasn't there as a replacement for their biological father, but as someone who simply enriched their family.
This time was just wonderful and felt complete. We had found a wonderful dynamic that did us all a great deal of good – the children, their mother and me too. My partner and I simply complemented each other perfectly in our way of organising our daily lives and taking care of the children. She was a wonderful mother who did everything for her children. I myself tried to fill the gaps that life sometimes leaves behind. Together we created an environment in which everyone felt secure and valued. It was a great gift for me to be part of this wonderful unit.
I devoted myself to this role wholeheartedly because I value the children just as much as they do each other. I always tried to be a role model. I wanted to be there for them, motivate and support them, be a good friend to them, laugh with them and sometimes smile at myself, but also remain serious and reliable when it matters. I always managed to keep a cool head and never lost my temper, even in difficult moments. I tried to give them a sense of security and understanding. And it was so nice to see how much trust they placed in me. They showed me how much they trusted me, and I also learned so much from them.
There were times when their mother and father were unable to be around due to work. The children stayed with me for several days, which was a very special time for everyone. These phases have particularly shaped us as a family and brought us even closer together. At first, I wasn't sure whether I could live up to this responsibility, but after a short time, I realised how natural it all felt and was very happy about it. We found our own wonderful rhythm, and I often think back to those days with pleasure – to the cosy meals together, to our fun game evenings and the great excursions that gave us so much joy. It was so nice to see how comfortable the children felt with me. That was the greatest compliment for me.
Her mother, my dear friend, is a real superwoman in her professional field. She works in an emotionally very demanding field that often requires all her strength and attention. Some days she comes home exhausted, with her head full of thoughts and worries. In these moments, it is close to my heart to be there for her, to calm her down and give her the space she needs. I admire her strength and passion, but I also know how important it is for her to have someone at her side who will support and back her up. And that's exactly what I want to be for her: a rock in the surf, an anchor when the waves of life start to get too high.
Our lives are characterised by contrasts that perfectly complement each other and make our lives truly colourful. She is very emotional and shows her feelings openly, while I am often the calmer, more analytical part. But it is precisely these differences that make our relationship so special. We balance each other out in a wonderful way, support each other and give each other the stability we need. This wonderful dynamic has not only strengthened us as a couple, but has also brought us together as a family.
I fondly think back to the time when I was very busy professionally. My office life was often challenging, but even during this intense time, the children felt very comfortable with me. It was as if they sensed that, despite everything, I would always find time for them, that they always came first and were always a priority. The trust they placed in me showed me how strong our bond is and how much they value me as a father. There were so many evenings when I came home after a long day at work and still found the energy to play with them, listen to them or comfort them. These moments showed me how incredibly valuable family is – not only for them, but also for me.
The first meeting with their biological father was also a wonderful and important milestone. I introduced myself to him with the help of my dear friend, and I immediately sensed that we would get along splendidly. There was no competitive thinking between us, but rather a mutual understanding and a great deal of agreement that we both only want the best for the children. This encounter has allowed us to grow even closer as a family.
I look back on those years with great gratitude and love. We have experienced so much together, gone through ups and downs together, supported each other and created a family that is not only based on blood relationship, but on love, respect and cohesion. My friend, her children and I – we are a wonderful team that enriches and strengthens each other. I am absolutely certain that we can face anything life throws at us together.
My family is simply the most important thing in my life. I am incredibly proud of the fact that my two daughters have grown into such strong, independent women. They have successfully completed their studies and have now found their own wonderful lives. One of them has become a mother herself, and my grandchild is just wonderful and brings indescribable joy into my life. It is a great privilege for me to see how my daughter is now raising her own child with the same love and patience that I have always shown her. My grandchild is almost the same age as my former partner's younger child. It is really nice to see how the two children developed such a close bond while we were together.
This connection between the children was very special from the very beginning. They were very similar in their natural curiosity and lack of inhibition. Their games, laughter and little adventures filled our home with such vitality that all the challenges of everyday life were forgotten for a moment. It was really touching to see how my grandson and my friend's younger child developed such a wonderful friendship, characterised by childlike honesty and ease. These moments were like a bond that held our family together in a very special way, even if our constellation was anything but traditional.
I am very lucky to be not only an integral and important part of the lives of my own daughters and grandson, but also of the lives of my friend's children. From the very beginning, I felt that this relationship was not just a partnership with their mother, but also entailed a responsibility towards the children. I accepted this role wholeheartedly, not as a substitute father in the traditional sense, but as someone who is there for them – with advice, support and sometimes just a sympathetic ear. It was very important to me to show them that they could always rely on me, no matter what.
But then everything changed suddenly. Without warning, my partner decided to end our relationship, which made me very sad. It was a painful and unexpected turn of events that affected me deeply. Until that moment, I felt that we were an ideal family – a unit that, despite its unconventional make-up, harmonised perfectly. And then, suddenly, she was no longer there. It felt as if someone had simply torn out an important part of my life. She wasn't just my partner, she had become part of my family, an integral part of my everyday life and an indispensable part of my heart.
After her sudden departure, there was suddenly a great void that was difficult to fill. But what comforted me during this difficult time was the wonderful connection I had with the children. They continued to seek my company, calling, writing to me and coming to visit. It was incredibly touching for me to see that the bond we had built together had not simply disappeared. I was very happy to see that the closeness between my grandchild and my ex-partner's children had continued. They still met up occasionally, played together and maintained the special connection they had built up over the years, which meant a great deal to all of them.
The children's visits are a wonderful anchor point for me, always reminding me that all is not lost. Sometimes we sit down together and talk about the good old days, about the moments that shaped us and still accompany us today. We laugh about little mishaps, remember wonderful trips or just the cosy evenings when we all sat together at the dining table. In these moments, I am reminded that family is so much more than just a biological connection. It is something you build together, something you share, and something that remains even when circumstances change: shared memories and the affection you feel for one another.
During this time, my relationship with my own daughters has taken on a wonderful new depth. They have not only been there for me, but have also actively encouraged me to move forward. They have shown me that change is not always something to fear, but often something to welcome. I am very proud of their strength and independence. They are the best proof that I have done many things right in my life. I am very proud that I was able to give them the right values, because they are exactly the people they are today.
Today, with a little distance, I look at my life and my family with completely different eyes. It is so much more than just the classic idea of parents and children. It is a wonderful, multifaceted community that spans generations and different stages of life and connects us all. My daughters, my grandchild, the children of my former girlfriend – they have all remained part of my wonderful family in their own unique way, and that is just wonderful. Even though my partner is no longer by my side, what we have created together remains: a wonderful network of relationships that are strong enough to stand the test of time.
Of course, there are also moments when I feel a bit sad because so much has been lost. And maybe the distance to my ex-girlfriend's children will grow a little bit. But for now, they are still with us. At the same time, I am endlessly grateful for what has remained, and I rejoice in every single moment. My former partner's children have shown me how wonderful love and family can be – quite independently of a name or a bloodline. We are defined by what we do for each other, the support we give each other, and the memories we share.
Today, I look at the very special family I have gathered around me over the years with a feeling of great gratitude and humility. It's not perfect, but it's real and wonderful, and I love it for that. And that is precisely what makes it so incredibly valuable to me and something very special. It is the best proof that family exists in all its forms and colours – and that it is always a home for the heart, no matter how circumstances change.
Everything will be fine!