Kerstin Emhoff

Yes. I know a few people in their 40s who were genuinely miserable in their marriage and after 20 years together they had both done things and said shit and made mistakes so it wasn't a case of one person doing something horrible and the other being a 'victim'. They end up being so much happier apart and some of them (esp if they have kids) become friends again because their spouse did have good points, that's what they fell in love with, so now they can appreciate those from a distance and they are delighted that someone else is dealing with their bad points! It's definitely not the norm but common enough that I know 3 couples like that.

Me too, R1. In one case, the wife's ex husband became best friends with her new husband -- no latent gayness, just 2 guys with a lot in common. Unusual, but nice to see 3 people behaving like sensible adults.

I bet it's easier for an ex-wife to accept a woman who is a professional, doesn't have kids, has her own money and is age appropriate. That kind of relationship seems like one you would support for the sake of the kids and your ex and maybe even as a woman you'd want to see this never-married woman find love later in life. If Doug rocked up with a 25 year old bimbo Kerstin would probably not be as supportive!

OP = Kamala.

No Jacks' in that family ,ever!