My mum and dad got divorced when I was nine and my brother was

Host:
The rain had started to settle into a gentle mist outside, the streets glistening with the reflections of soft streetlights. Inside, the café had a cozy, intimate feel, the warmth from the lamps blending perfectly with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Jack sat at the table, his coffee cup in front of him, fingers lightly tracing the rim as he gazed out the window, lost in thought.

Across from him, Jeeny watched him quietly, sensing that something had caught his attention. She waited, giving him the time he needed to speak.

Finally, Jack broke the silence, his voice thoughtful but tinged with a sense of quiet reflection.

Jack:
"I came across this quote from Michelle Keegan today. She said, ‘My mum and dad got divorced when I was nine and my brother was seven, and all they strived to do was to make sure we weren't affected.’” He paused, his eyes meeting hers, the weight of the words settling in. "It made me think about how often parents go through difficult things, but their focus is always on protecting their children, on making sure we don't carry the weight of their struggles. It’s a selfless act, don’t you think? But I wonder, can you really shield your kids from something like that? Or does it still impact them, even when you try your best to protect them?"

Jeeny:
Her expression softened, and she took a small sip of her tea, her voice gentle but insightful. "I think it’s natural for parents to want to shield their children from the pain they’re going through. They try to protect their kids from feeling the weight of their own struggles, especially something as significant as a divorce. But even when parents work hard to shield their children, I think kids are more aware than we often give them credit for. They pick up on the tension, the changes in dynamics, even if they don’t fully understand them at first." She paused, her gaze reflective. "It’s not that the parents' intentions aren't noble, but emotions are hard to hide. I think the real impact comes in how we handle those changes — how parents continue to show up for their children in the midst of it all."

Jack:
He nodded, his fingers lightly tapping the edge of his cup. "Yeah, you’re right. No matter how much parents try to protect us, we still feel the shift. Even if we don’t understand it fully at the time, we sense the change. And yet, it sounds like Michelle’s parents were still very present, still made sure their children felt loved, even in the middle of all the changes. Maybe that’s the key, then — not protecting them from the pain, but making sure they still feel safe and supported through it." He smiled faintly, as if the thought had become clearer to him. "Maybe it’s about showing up, even when things are hard, and continuing to offer that stability and love."

Host:
The rain had turned into a soft drizzle, and the world outside seemed a bit quieter. The café, with its warm glow and soft atmosphere, became a perfect place to explore the complexities of family, love, and the efforts we make to protect the ones we care about.

Jeeny:
Her smile deepened, a quiet understanding settling between them. "Exactly. It’s about how we show up for each other, even when things are difficult. It’s about being there, offering support, and making sure that, even in the face of change, the ones we love know they are not alone. I think that’s what makes the difference — knowing that love and support are constants, even when everything else is shifting." She paused, her voice growing softer, almost wistful. "Maybe the impact of those difficult moments comes not from the things we go through, but from how we choose to face them together, as a family."

Jack:
He smiled, his eyes softening with a quiet realization. "Yeah, it’s not about avoiding pain or shielding them from it, but about being strong enough to face it together. And through that strength, we show that love and connection are the things that really matter, no matter what happens."

Jeeny:
Her eyes were warm with understanding, and her smile reflected the comfort of the realization they had come to. "Exactly, Jack. It’s about showing up for the people we love, being there for them through the hard times, and making sure they feel that constant love and support. And when we do that, we help them navigate the challenges they face, together."

Host:
The rain had eased, and the world outside felt still, like the calm after a storm. Inside the café, Jack and Jeeny had discovered something deeper about family, love, and how we protect those we care about. While we can’t shield others from life’s hardships, it’s the presence, the love, and the unwavering support that make all the difference.

As the evening wore on, they both understood that it’s not the absence of pain, but the strength of love and connection, that helps us navigate the challenges of life.