When my husband’s ex told me I wasn’t invited to the twins’ birthday party because “You don’t have kids,” the sting hit harder than I expected. What she didn’t see was the love I had for Noah and Liam, and everything I did for them daily. From packing lunches before school to washing soccer uniforms late at night, I was present in every part of their lives. To me, family isn’t defined by blood, but by love and consistency. Melanie always stayed polite, but distant treating me like…