So there was this concert playing (a tribute to an old singer) that I love and so does my OSS. DH isnt a big fan of said singer, whereas OSS and I are. So when I heard about this tribute I really wanted to go. And since I knew DH wasn't going to be a lot of fun, I looked at my OSS and said "Hey, feel like going on a date with me?" He of course looked at me funny and asked what I was talking about. When o told him what it was I wanted to do, he said "sure! That sounds fun!"

And so, my SSstb15, who we have had issues with, who has caused me a lot of heartache and tears and sadness, joined me for an evening. We went to dinner, just him and I. And then the concert. Got some refreshments during intermission. We smiled and laughed and talked and just had a fantastic time. We got home, and in the driveway he gave me a big hug and a kiss in the cheek and said, "hanging, this was great. I had an awesome time. Thank you." Melt my heart.

See my OSS and I had a pretty good relationship in the beginning. And then his BM started to see just how much he cared about me. And started her hate/slander campaign against me. And MIL, who favors OSS and uses him as her shoulder to cry/lean on saw how close we were and didn't like it either...and started her own campaign and then also joined forces with BM. That kid has been a handful and caused so much tension, so many fights, so much drama and made me want to call it quits many times in the last 12-18 months.

Somehow, some way he started to see the campaign against me. He started to see through his mother's bullshit. He started to see that grandma wasn't being fair and causing issues too. He started to SEE what these women were really doing. And he started changing. I noticed things were changing about a month and a half ago. Slowly, but yet quickly at the same time. All of a sudden it was big changes. Holding conversations and discussing what was said and me hearing he was defending not just his dad but ME. Remarks like "hanging, you're always at my games. Thanks. My mom doesn't make it, but somehow you always do." Or "my mom said some dumb things this weekend. And I told her that that's not what you do/did/ etc". I could see the kid he used to be coming back. The funny kid with the big smile. The kid who loves to get hugs and snuggle up on the couch and watch Law & Order, or NCIS, or just a movie with me while we chat and snack on popcorn. The kid who didn't look like he was always trying so hard to reject me or anything I did. That kid that just wanted to be loved and love. I've missed that kid. But he seems to have found his way back.

So yes, I went on a date with my skid. I had a fabulous time. I hope he takes me out (or I guess I should say lets me take him lol) again. It seems I may have gotten my son back. It feels good.

AND...BM, you may have thought you won, and you may still be winning with YSS, but it is looking like although a battle or two you won, I am winning the war. Why? Because I love that kid, he's not a pawn, I never wanted to be his mom, just his stepmom. Just another person to love him and experience his life with. I've only ever wanted the best for him. And your tactics seem to be failing.