For the first time in almost exactly 3 years I heard from my ex-husband. He emailed me to pass along a message from the company from which we jointly leased my car that my lease will be up in May and they need to discuss the return with me.

I called the leasing company to check on all my options, because Dawg and I really love that car like a member of the family. We even call my car a pet name. I took down all the information then discussed it that night with Dawg. I could buy the car if I wanted, but the amount still due plus the finance rate they were offering just wasn’t financially reasonable. I asked him to help me make this decision, because the car I get next will be our car, even if only my name is on the title and loan, and I’m not great with making this particular life decision. He agreed. We are in the early stages of discussing what car we will get next. I know it will meet certain criteria (or, at least, that’s the plan) but beyond that I am excited to see what we jointly choose together. And this time I will buy, not lease.

I am sad that my current car will be going back to the car company, but am slightly relieved that the very last item that was still jointly owned by me and my ex-husband will finally be out of my life. It’s an old, bad habit to worry that I am disappointing that man with any of my decisions, and if we don’t have any financial responsibilities together he can be disappointed all he wants with my life choices but my decisions won’t negatively impact him in any way. That is a big relief.