@51fb1883  Agreed. Women overall tend to face challenges that men do not. That alone makes all of us stronger. Personally, as a divorced woman over a certain age, I am a bit choosier when it comes to partners because I know I can continue to handle things by myself if I need to. I have that perspective of independence much more than I did when I was young. 

 @06d3112a 
After I was divorced, I did not think I'd want to marry again.  I knew I could take care of my kids and myself.  When my current husband came along and I WANTED to marry him that told me a lot.