Meet Meghan McTavish, a 39-year-old from the Gold Coast, Australia. She married in 2014, but last year, she and her husband decided to part ways. Despite their divorce, Meghan describes their relationship as “friendly,” especially as they co-parent their seven-year-old son.
Co-parenting has become increasingly common. According to the Pew Research Center, the proportion of children living with married parents in the U.S. fell significantly from 90% in 1960 to 70% by 2008.
When Meghan shared her plans for divorce with her parents, they were “sad but supportive.” She noted how much effort both she and her ex had put in to make the marriage work but acknowledged they had grown apart.
Interestingly, Meghan’s parents maintain a warm relationship with her ex, even celebrating his birthday alongside her dad’s. “Thank you, universe,” she joked.
However, during a recent stay at her parents’ home, Meghan had a revealing realization. She noticed a mural of wedding photos, including one of her kissing her ex, in the guest room. This prompted her to film her thoughts on TikTok, highlighting how her parents seem reluctant to fully accept their relationship’s change.
“It’s like waking up to your life choices framed on the wall,” she reflected. She contemplated deep questions like, “Am I only worth hanging up if I’m married?” and “Will they replace these photos if I remarry?”
She noted, “Your parents understand that all their kids are divorced, but the wedding photos—they are forever.” Meghan and her sister have both gone through divorces, which she believes illustrates a generational shift in attitudes towards marriage.
Her parents used to believe staying together was the solution to emotional damage, but they’ve since recognized that her son flourishes with two happy, divorced parents rather than a couple trapped in resentment.
Despite this, her parents have no intention of removing the wedding photos, viewing them as cherished family memories. Meghan understands this perspective, acknowledging that her parents were raised in a culture where marriage was the ultimate milestone.
Today, life milestones have evolved. They now include everything from graduations and career changes to mental health awareness and even mastering the art of unsubscribing from endless emails.