My second husband, Eric Villency, is the father of my beautiful

Host: The room is quiet, a soft, peaceful atmosphere hanging between Jack and Jeeny. The night outside is calm, the light from the lamp casting gentle shadows on the walls. The conversation has just taken a more personal turn, and the words about to be shared feel like a reflection on connection, family, and the complexities of relationships.

Jack: “Kimberly Guilfoyle said, ‘My second husband, Eric Villency, is the father of my beautiful boy Ronan Anthony. Even though we're divorced, I'm still very close with his family.’” He repeats the words thoughtfully, his voice quiet but full of curiosity. “It’s interesting, isn’t it? The idea that even after a divorce, you can maintain a relationship with your ex’s family. It’s not something you hear often, but it’s such a testament to the idea that family isn’t always about blood — it’s about connection.” He looks at Jeeny, the depth of his question clear. “What do you think about that? How can we maintain relationships with people who are no longer part of our immediate family, especially after a separation?”

Jeeny: “I think it’s a beautiful and powerful thing. It speaks to the idea that love and connection don’t have to end just because a marriage does. Families are more than just spouses; they’re about shared experiences, history, and sometimes, they become more like a second family. What Kimberly is talking about shows that it’s possible to separate the emotional and romantic aspects of a relationship, but still hold on to the bonds that really matter — the ones that are rooted in care and shared connection.” Her voice is steady, warm with understanding. “It’s about recognizing that family isn’t always about who you’re married to, but about the people who are there for you, who support you, and who are part of your journey, regardless of the changes.”

Jack: “That’s such an important point. It’s easy to think of family as something that gets severed when a relationship ends, but really, it’s about the connections we choose to maintain. Even though a marriage ends, the family dynamic doesn’t have to disappear. We can still hold on to the relationships that are meaningful, that are built on respect and care.” His voice is thoughtful, almost as though he’s recognizing something new. “Maybe divorce doesn’t have to mean losing everything. Maybe it’s more about redefining those relationships and understanding that the people who were once part of our lives can still be there, in a different way.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about allowing yourself the space to redefine those relationships, to change the boundaries while still maintaining respect and love. Divorce doesn’t mean erasing the connection with someone’s family; it means adjusting to the new reality, with the understanding that those bonds can still exist, even in a different form.” Her smile is soft, filled with gentleness. “When we let go of the expectation that family has to look a certain way, we open ourselves up to more meaningful relationships, ones that can evolve with us, even after life changes.”

Jack: “It’s like love doesn’t have to be conditional or confined by a specific form of connection. Families change, relationships change, but that doesn’t mean the love or the support disappears. It just transforms into something else.” He pauses, letting the idea sink in. “It makes me think differently about the relationships we have in our lives, about how we treat those people who may no longer be in our day-to-day, but who are still part of our story, part of our heart.”

Jeeny: “Yes. Family is more about the enduring connections we maintain, the love we continue to offer, and the care we keep giving, even if the circumstances change. Divorce may end a marriage, but it doesn’t have to erase everything that was built before.” Her eyes are soft, a quiet wisdom in her expression. “When we approach relationships with love and respect, no matter what form they take, we open ourselves up to healing and maintaining those connections in a way that honors the past, but also allows room for new growth.”

Jack: “It’s really about compassion, isn’t it? Compassion for the person you were once with, and compassion for yourself, as you navigate the changes that come after. It’s not about holding on to the past, but about respecting what that past was, and still carrying it with you, even as you move forward.” He smiles gently, a sense of peace settling in his voice. “It’s about letting go of expectations and allowing the relationships to evolve.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about evolving, not erasing. The love we give and the bonds we create don’t just disappear with a change. They may change form, but they’re still there, still part of our lives.” She smiles warmly, her voice soft but filled with quiet certainty. “That’s what makes us resilient, and what allows us to maintain connections even in the face of change.”

Host: The room feels peaceful now, the air filled with understanding. Jack and Jeeny sit in the quiet realization that relationships — even after they change — can still hold a place in our hearts. The key isn’t about holding on to what was, but about being open to what can still grow, respecting the love that’s been shared, and allowing connections to evolve in a way that honors both the past and the present.

Jack: “Maybe it’s not about holding on to everything as it was, but about holding on to the core of what those relationships were — the love, the care, the support. That doesn’t disappear. It just changes.” His voice is quieter now, but there’s a sense of peace in it. “And that’s the beauty of it, right? The ability to redefine, to keep the meaningful parts of our relationships alive, even when they change.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And when we approach those changes with grace, we allow space for new connections, new growth, and continued love. That’s the power of respecting relationships, even after they’ve shifted.” She smiles softly, her eyes filled with quiet understanding. “That’s how we find peace with the past and move forward with an open heart.”

Host: The room is still now, the conversation leaving behind a quiet sense of understanding. The world outside continues its usual pace, but inside, Jack and Jeeny have discovered that relationships, even after change, can still be rich with meaning and connection. It’s not about keeping things as they were — it’s about allowing love, respect, and understanding to grow in new and evolving ways.