If you’re close to filing for divorce before Valentine’s Day, it’s likely that the disillusionment within your marriage will not prompt you or your partner to celebrate any part of February 14 with greetings or gifts. In situations like this, where the relationship has deteriorated irrevocably, the date of filing for divorce doesn’t really matter – but the reality of Valentine’s Day could be painful to manage if you’re still together come mid-February.
Guard Your Heart If You Don’t File for Divorce Before Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is contagious, and it can be easy to give your partner another chance, or plan something special in the hopes that it will rekindle your marriage. While these last-ditch efforts may be enough to stoke the fire under some relationships, for most people it’s simply that – a final effort that crashes and burns and makes the future quite clear.
You could be disappointed by your partner’s lack of enthusiasm for trying to repair your marriage, or you may discover their plans have only given you the ick and made you feel like it’s too little too late. Guard your heart as best you can and make sure your head is leading when it comes to the heart-shaped 24 hours and everything that comes after.
Prepare for the Worst to Avoid Being Blindsided
If you are out and about in the days before or on February 14, prepare yourself to see flowers, hearts, balloons, chocolates, teddy bears, and all the elements that are considered sweet and romantic gifts. At the start of a Michigan divorce, it’s easy to get blindsided by the “dining for two” special at a restaurant or the “wear red or pink” instruction your kids were given to celebrate in school. Remember that these 24 hours can be skipped in this pivotal moment. Cupid? Who cares?
You don’t have to stay home alone on Valentine’s Day just because there are likely to be lovey-dovey triggers around you. The best recommendation is to spend time with someone you love unconditionally and who deserves your attention. Your kids, your parents, your best friend. Find someone who understands where you are emotionally and stick with them.
Prioritize Your Goals and Needs When You File for Michigan Divorce
If you’ve already filed for divorce and are fully in the middle of negotiating with your ex, the arrival of Valentine’s Day may surprise you with how much it hits your heart. Your divorce attorney will warn you to stay focused on the job at hand. Don’t allow your financial choices to be influenced by a last-minute dose of love and heart. Make the right decisions for yourself and the kids. Make the smart moves when it comes to who’s paying what debt, how often the kids will be in your house and your ex’s, and the like.
You may have dreams of a sweet family together once again, calmly making it through birthdays and holidays, and maybe one day you will get there, but try to take emotion out of your decision-making and accept the reality. There are reasons you and your ex are divorcing. Keep them front and center, especially on February 14.
Get support from the divorce attorneys at Femminineo Law. Contact us to schedule a consultation at our family law office.