153. Thanks, Meghan Trainor

A listener named Emily writes in to share how Meghan Trainor’s music helped her realize things were going to be okay after her divorce.

Check out our Instagram for a special surprise after you’ve listened to this episode: @IGTBO

Transcripts may not appear in their final version and are subject to change.

Nora: I’m Nora McInerny and it’s going to be okay. This podcast is a group project. Every day we bring you something. Oh, okay. The opposite of a doom squirrel to start or end your day. Today’s okay thing comes from a listener named Emily who sent us this email. 

Hi, Nora and team. I’m loving. It’s going to be okay. And I wanted to share my own. Okay. Moment about how Meghan Trainor song. No, let me know that I and my kids are going to be okay. 

Almost a year ago. My now ex-husband and I told our two amazing daughters that we were separating and getting a divorce. It’s a conversation and a decision I spent years agonizing over, even though I knew my marriage was toxic. 

My ex cheated on me for years. And then when I discovered the cheating, he refused to believe the marriage was over. So it was on me to make the final call and it took me nearly four years before I forced the final steps that ended our marriage. I hung on because I was so worried. My kids were not going to be okay. That I wasn’t going to be okay. That they blame me or think I didn’t love them anymore. That I’d be racked with guilt forever. For breaking up our family, even though. Staying in the marriage. Felt like it was ending me. 

A couple of months before we told the kids about the divorce, they’d become obsessed with Meghan Trainor. I think it started with her song, mom. Megan songs became a daily soundtrack to our lives. She was with us in the car while we made dinner. When we drove to and from school. She was with us in the aftermath of telling our children about the divorce. 

As I picked up the pieces of my life and my children’s lives and tried to put them back together in this new puzzle where I was divorced and they had two homes, my kids and I sang together to made you look and me too. And no, her Anthem about not taking shit from men, and prioritizing yourself over a man. And yes, I know it’s probably not the best song for an 11 year old and eight year old, but also it teaches consent and a woman’s power to know her mind. And there are much worse songs out there. 

There were so many tears, mine and theirs. But we slowly started to pull it together. I slowly started to pull it together. Then one day on a random Saturday, my youngest daughter came up to me while I was making waffles for breakfast and announced. “Mom, you’re just like Meghan Trainor.” 

“And I said, oh yeah. Why is that?”

I assumed she meant because I’m a mom or because I am also all about that base. My sweet girl looked me dead in the eye and said, yeah, If you want a man, you’re going to get a man. But that’s never your priority. I hid my laughter in front of her face quite well, I might add and said, well, that feels true. Do you know what my priority is? Without a beat, she said, of course it’s me and my sister. And she ran off into the other room where she proceeded to hug and tackle said, sister, while I laughed slash cried in the kitchen. 

I’m not saying it’s been an easy road since then, but that was a turning point. And it was a clear sign to me. That it’s going to be okay. My babies will be okay. I’ll be okay. Thank you, Megan trainer. And thanks to you, Nora, and to everyone who shared an okay moment. I hope mine gives someone a smile and prompts them to roll the windows down. And sing out loud with their kids. 

Emily. We love you. We loved this email. You are doing a great job as a mom. I personally think all of Meghan Trainor songs are extremely appropriate for kids of all ages. And we got you a special little treat. That hopefully you and your daughters will love. 

Meghan Trainor: Hey Emily, it’s Meghan Trainor and I read your story that you sent Nora and it melted my heart and it was so sweet and your daughters are incredible and you’re an amazing mom and it’s an honor knowing that these songs pumped you up so I’m gonna keep thinking about you as I start writing this next album and I love you guys. Congrats on being the best mom ever.

Nora: That really was Meghan Trainor. We’ll put the video up on our Instagram at IGT BL. 

It’s Going to be OK is a production of Feelings Co. We are an independent podcast and feelings and co is an independent podcast production company. So you being here is Amazing a great way to support our show is to share it share it with whoever you think would like it Share it as much as you can rate and review it on Apple podcasts.

We’re a small show, we’re a small company, and we exist because of all of you. So thank you for being here. Our team is me, Megan Palmer, Claire McInerny, Amanda Romani, and Michelle Plantan. 

You can share your OK thing with us by emailing us, igtbo at feelingsand. co. I will read your OK thing for you, or you can record a voice memo and attach it to that email.

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