Going to an engagement party?

I love what bluebird said...get yourself dressed up. Find a pretty dress and as Spaz said, "fake it till you make it." 

It was hard in the beginning but something happened along the way.....I really was not faking it. 

Slowly but surely I started going out. It will get easier.

Last weekend I had a mani/pedicure (Thursday), Friday dinner at an exquisite place downtown and ballet later that evening.

Sat. I met some friends from D360 and all I could think of on my way home, "I am so happy to be free.".

Concentrate on yourself and find activities that make you happy.

Abrazos.

Go buy some great red 6 inch heels, an awesome dress and get a makeover at your favorite cosmetics place, or whatever clothes make you happy. I'm fond of short skirts and high heels, but that's just my preference. Dress like you're ready to party and go have fun. This is a great way to maybe meet some men. Most social occassions are good places to meet men! You probably don't know all of her family, and there might be a good one among them.

Hold your head up and pretend that everything is fine. You have to do that at work, right? You can do that now. Your family will be silenced by your attitude and you won't have to deal with their nasty remarks any more after you prove to them that you're ok.

I'm not divorced yet. I still have a lot of days when I curl up in a ball and cry all day. However, I recently went to a friend's wedding and danced the night away. I had a great dress and smiled and laughed all night. Everyone knew about the divorce, so when they put on their long faces and told me how sorry they were, I said don't be sorry, I'm free. I can do anything at all that I want in life. I can go anywhere, see anyone, make a whole new life for myself. How many people have that chance with no ties and no obligations? I can travel the world if I want. That shut them up. They didn't see me later crying. They never will. Only people on this site know about the pain!

You can do this, get all dressed up, favorite lipstick, perfume, and go for them. You will feel worse about yourself if you do not go. 
Like spaz said fake it till you make it.

Just go for them.  Be happy for you nephew and his fiance.  Don't allow yourself to make the night about you and your ex's anniversary date, leave that in a drawer at home.  If people at the party ask how you are, give the generic "I'm fine, thanks!" and a smile, leave the whole divorce/emotions outside (incase you forgot to leave them in the drawer).  :-)

I would go and have a good time!!! The divorce is over and you are free!! Celebrate freedom!!!  Plus you never know who you might meet there.  Do not let your ex control your happiness, you are free from him....GO LET YOUR HAIR DOWN AND HAVE FUN!!

Lori -

I get you are hurt by your divorce, really, I do - but you can't stay in a hole over it. You are going to find happy couples no matter where you go.

You can't use it as an excuse to not get on with your life and withdraw from your family. Do it once, you will keep doing it, until it becomes such a pattern of behavior it's ALL you do - you can find a way to associate your long term marriage with every day of the year if you gave it that much thought.

You go, you have to "fake it til you make it" - force a smile, be social, love your family so that they can love you back. Make an appearance, at least for a while...it is the right thing to do.