Dear Prudence,
I was married once. My ex-wife and I had known each other our whole lives; we met in elementary school, our mothers were co-workers, and our families went to church together. Outside of a few friends I made in college or at work, we shared all of our friends. Here’s the problem.
She was kind of seen as perfect by everyone who knew her growing up. Now we’re divorced, and I’ve moved on, remarried, and have my own kid. Some of those relationships were important to me, especially my parents’ friends who were influential in my life. But every time I’m around them, I feel the awkward meter explode.
I moved on quickly because I knew I wanted a family and was facing being 40 with a newborn. People don’t know for years that she was HELL to be with, because she was fantastic at keeping her image intact, so I know I look like the villain. I want my new daughter to be able to meet some of these people who were so important to me, but I’m not willing to rehash my bad marriage to justify my current happiness. Do I just say screw it and find new people?
—Socially Frustrated Dad