What’s the best thing that’s happened in your life?

[Tiredasamf]

I’ve just been reading the other thread about the worst decisions people have made in their lives. I’m saddened to hear people’s stories and would like us to have a positive thread to go alongside it..

so what’s the best thing that’s happened to you, or the best decision you’ve made?

[MissAmbrosia]

Going back to work FT after maternity leave.
Moving abroad.
Getting DH a job with my then company. It was a temporary thing and I was asked if I knew anyone. He grabbed the opportunity and did great things with it.
I wouldn't be without dd of course, but she was a happy accident rather than a decision.

[redandyellowbits]

Leaving my (abusive) ex and moving 2h away to be closer to my family.

I now live 5 mins down the road from my parents and siblings and extended family, and my lovely children are absolutely thriving. I still have nightmares about how our lives could have remained, and wake up with immense relief.

It's been nearly 8 years now and that feeling of gratitude never leaves me.

[HotSummerLoving]

Having intensive cbt and therapy after a traumatic experience, changed my view on everything- myself, my relationships, my view on the world.

I continue to have counselling on and off and it has been my saviour.

So many people comment on how “self aware” I am, I was the absolute opposite before this period in my life and could well have continued being a not particularly nice person.

[KermitlovesKeyLimePie]

Being born to the best parents ever. My childhood was idyllic even though we had very little.

They both passed away many years ago but not a day goes by that I don't think of them and how grateful for all the love and hard work they put in.

Reading on here so many stories of shitty parents makes me realise just how lucky you are if you have parents like mine were.

We were very close and told each other we loved each other often but it is only since having DS17 who is severely disabled (they both passed away before he was born) that I truly appreciate just how bloody hard they worked and how much they sacrificed for my Dsis's and I.

I wish every single day I could tell them that and Thank them.

[deaconjohn]

Meeting my DH and consequently having my DC.

[KimberleyClark]

My DH.

[MrsSkylerWhite]

Husband, children, grandchildren. Yawn, sorry 😁

[MirrorMirror1247]

One is deciding to have braces fitted in my early 20s after being stupid about it when I was 12. I also had double jaw and chin surgery and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Thank you NHS and my amazing surgeon and orthodontist!

The second is deciding to end my marriage. Nothing bad happened, but I settled down too young and in the end it just wasn't right. We're still on good terms and chat regularly, but I'm much happier now in my new life.

[RoachTheHorse]

@LuckySantangelo35 no I don't feel their lives would be lesser if they didn't take that path. It's just for me they fill up my life in a way that makes me very happy.

My DH and I support each other to achieve and do new things. We support the other and help each other grow. I made a good match (if I were in an Austen novel) and have made a happy home together.

[Eeksteek]

I didn’t response to the other thread for the same reason as this. There isn’t one chance event that changed my life. Oh, some things set me on a path, or deviated from it, but I’d have always found my way here. I made decisions because of who I am. Generally, I made good decisions based on the resources I had at the time. Snakes and ladders!

Take all these chance meetings with DHs. (I’m sure your DHs are all wonderful!) but there are many equally wonderful proto-DHs out there, and the chances are you’d have stumbled over one eventually. You’re with a wonderful DH not only because you met one by chance, but because you were able to prioritise your relationship, set good boundaries; give when required and had the resources and self respect to get out of relationships with less worthy proto-DH’s until you met a good one and so on.

Chance is just the seed. You need them, of course, but it’s who you are that determines if they flourish.

[LuckySantangelo35]

@RoseLemon

@LuckySantangelo35 I was thinking the same thing but didn't want to say it for fear of being jumped on.

Interesting isn’t it

[RoseLemon]

@LuckySantangelo35 I was thinking the same thing but didn't want to say it for fear of being jumped on.

[Samanabanana]

Definitely meeting DH and having the DC. Choosing to work in a lower paying but much more rewarding role. Meeting my friends!

[CoffeeLover90]

Lovely idea for a thread and cheered me up, seeing all these happy people this morning. I have to jump on the band wagon and say my DS. He's changed me in ways I didn't think was possible and I owe everything to this handsome, noisy, messy little whirlwind.
I especially love the answers of @Blizzardbeach And @Vampirethriller
It's amazing how you managed to turn your life around, not many can, even for the sake of their kids. Shows real strengths and determination and you should be so proud of yourselves.

[RoachTheHorse]

My DH and my kids.

[Daleksatemyshed]

Strangely, having cancer made my life better. I'm much stronger mentally and emotionally. Also inheriting a house, I now have more options for the future

[AloysiusBear]

Having my kids. They are the light of my life and they make me smile every day.

[Tiredasamf]

@Interestingmauve

Going to a toddler group, on my own, as a huge introvert. The chain of events that set off has been incredible. It was 20 years ago and I'm still reaping the benefits.

Because I was so introverted, I volunteered to help with making tea, tidying toys etc to give me something to do. I became good friends with the organiser (who was the opposite of introverted) who opened up a whole new social circle for me and DS.

Once DC were at school, we remained friends and she became depressed about her weight. To try and help we started doing a bit of jogging. Did Race for Life then joined a running club. Since then my whole way of life has changed and I have a huge social circle of active people. I'm off to somewhere sunny to run a marathon with some of them this weekend.

Friend lost 3 stones and has kept it off. We're still friends, but I'm not so dependant on her now, which is good. I still have quiet tendencies but I'm fully involved in the local community these days and it all started there.

I love this!! Such a believer in everything happens for a reason and these kind of stories is exactly why!

[MummyofTw0]

My kids for sure

[DinaofCloud9]

Meeting my children's dad as it gave me the best kids I could ever have hoped for.

We aren't together any more but we are good friends and my life would have been so different if id never met him.

[LuckySantangelo35]

So many are saying their partner and having children are the best things that have ever happened to them. Which is lovely but it makes me wonder -

if a group of men were asked the same question would they respond the same? Or would their answers be focused more on their careers or travel or other life experiences?

and secondly if your own children do not have children or even get married/have a long term relationship, would you feel that their quality of life would be limited and they would be missing out on the best thing their could possibly do in life?

[Lalliella]

By the way, great idea for a thread OP. The one the other day was really sad 😢

[Lalliella]

Having my kids after years of fertility problems and early pregnancy loss. I still look at them every single day and am thankful.

[ItsAutumnThen]

Having my two children - seeing the world through their eyes and seeing the magic again 💕.

[Youthinkyoureuniqueyourejustastatistic]

Meeting DH.
It was at a party I didn’t want to go to but went anyway back when I was 18, he nearly missed the train but decided to wait for the next one to show his face for the friend. We both nearly didn’t go. 16 yrs ago. Wow.

Now have a lovely life and 2 lovely DC.