It's over, LET'S PARTY

Women are celebrating divorce with repurposed rings, joyful fetes and new zest for life

- SARAH LAING

Shortly after separating from her husband of four years, Maja Proescholdt came across a picture of a cake on Instagram, decorated with the words “thank u, next.”

When she realized the Ariana Grande lyric-adorned cake was part of another woman’s divorce party, Proescholdt felt inspired. “I told myself that if I made it through this, I’d have a party and get a cake,” the travel blogger said.

After 18 months of paperwork, which Proescholdt handled herself as the couple didn’t use lawyers, she finally got to throw that divorce party — and said it was one of the best nights of her life.

“Because the process took so long, there were times I wondered if I’d ever actually be free. I’d already spent time mourning the loss of the relationship, the loss of the future I’d imagined, so by the time the paperwork was done, I was ready to party,” she said.

“It was also about celebrating that I’d made it through areally horrible, difficult time of my life, that time was over now, and the future would be amazing.”

And celebrate she did, with a custom cake, signs that said “Finally Divorced” and “Boy Bye” (complete with the middle-finger emoji), and a sash and crown that proudly proclaimed her “Divorced,” a tonguein-cheek nod to the “Bride” or “Wifey” insignia you might find at a bachelorette. Her friends embraced the concept with enthusiasm; one gifted her a “Smells like freshly signed divorce papers” candle.

“It was just so meaningful,” said Proescholdt. “Having the DJ call out, ‘And let’s hear it for Maja’s divorce party!’ while I was on the revolving dance floor was a top life moment.”