Sophomore Nicole Osterlund’s parents were married for 17 years before they decided to get a divorce. Osterlund was 13 at the time and was kept in the dark and told she was too young to understand what was happening. 

“In the beginning, it was very hard for me and there were a lot of tears,” Osterlund said. “But now it’s weird to think that my parents were together at one point. To be honest I don’t mind them being divorced.”

Osterlund’s parents have worked together to make life as easy as possible for their kids. For instance, Osterlund’s dad made sure to live close to her mom so that switching off every other week would be manageable for the kids. They also spend Christmas and occasionally Thanksgiving together every year.

Osterlund stayed positive during her parent’s divorce by talking to friends and focusing on herself. It had a rough beginning, but she wants others going through the same thing to know that everything worked out in the end.

“You might think it’s the end of the world right now and that nothing will get better,” Osterlund said. “But things take time and you never know, you may like the outcome better than previously.”