This article was originally published on Crafting Your Home. A human contributor also wrote and edited the post.
Influencer Kelley Lorraine spent years sharing glimpses of her family life with her followers, from marriage milestones to raising children in a blended household. But behind the carefully captured moments was a major personal transition that changed the direction of her life.
The influencer announced her separation from Luis Joel in July 2025 after years together. The couple began dating in 2017, married in 2018, and later welcomed two daughters. Their family also included Joel’s three older children from a previous relationship, whom Lorraine helped raise.
In an exclusive interview with People, Lorraine opened up about the changes she has experienced since the separation, including the challenges of solo parenting, rediscovering herself, and returning to the dating world. She described the past year as a period of growth as she adjusted to life outside of marriage.
The past year has brought major adjustments for Lorraine. She has continued to build her career online, taken on the responsibilities of raising her daughters, and slowly returned to the dating world after years away.
Lorraine said the transition has not always been easy, but she sees value in the changes that came with it. The experience has pushed her to reconnect with parts of herself she had put aside while focusing on family life.
Adjusting to a New Life After the End of Her Marriage
After the separation, Lorraine remained in Los Angeles with her two young daughters while Joel moved to Texas. The change meant she was responsible for handling the daily routines, decisions, and challenges of parenting on her own.
Lorraine has spoken openly about the pressure of being the only parent present for many everyday moments. Even when she feels exhausted or overwhelmed, she still has to manage her children’s needs.
The adjustment has required patience and flexibility. Lorraine spent much of her twenties building a family, and suddenly she had to figure out what life looked like outside of a marriage.
Before becoming a mother of two, Lorraine stepped into a parenting role with Joel’s older children. She was still in her early twenties when she helped care for them after Hurricane Maria affected Puerto Rico in 2017.
The experience shaped her understanding of family and responsibility. Although the marriage ended, Lorraine has continued maintaining meaningful relationships with members of her former blended family.
She has described the last year as a period of personal development. While the divorce brought emotional challenges, it also encouraged her to focus on her own interests and goals.
Finding Independence While Raising Her Daughters
For Lorraine, one of the biggest changes has been learning how to balance motherhood with her own personal needs. She has worked to create a routine that allows her to care for her children while also making space for herself.
She has returned to activities and interests that she enjoyed before marriage. Horseback riding is one passion she has mentioned reconnecting with while exploring life beyond her previous responsibilities.
Lorraine explained that rediscovering herself has been an important part of moving forward. After years of prioritizing family decisions, she has started thinking more about what brings her happiness.
Her online audience has also watched her navigate this transition. Instead of presenting a perfect image, Lorraine has shared parts of the uncertainty that comes with starting over.
The influencer has continued to attend events and grow her platform while managing life as a single parent. Her career has remained active even as her personal circumstances have changed.
One of the strongest sources of support has been Ana, Joel’s daughter from his previous relationship. Ana remained in Los Angeles after Joel moved to Texas and has continued living alongside Lorraine and her younger sisters.
A Lasting Bond With Her Former Stepdaughter
Lorraine and Ana’s relationship has changed over time. What began as a stepmother-and-stepdaughter relationship has developed into a close friendship built on years of shared experiences.
Lorraine has described their connection as different from a traditional parent-child relationship because Ana is now an adult. She sees their relationship as one based on trust, support, and mutual respect.
Ana has also helped Lorraine manage the demands of raising younger children. Her presence has provided extra support as Lorraine adjusts to parenting responsibilities on her own.
The bond between them has remained strong despite the changes in the family structure. Lorraine has emphasized that divorce does not erase the connections created during years of family life.
Ana has also received encouragement from Lorraine as she works toward an acting career. Lorraine has brought her to entertainment events and helped introduce her to people in the industry.
Watching Ana pursue her goals has become another meaningful part of Lorraine’s new chapter. Their relationship shows how families can continue evolving even after major life changes.
Returning to Dating After Years Away
Alongside motherhood and career changes, Lorraine has also begun exploring dating again. After years in a committed relationship, she admitted that entering the dating world felt unfamiliar.
Dating apps and modern relationship expectations were new experiences for her. Lorraine said she had to adjust to a completely different environment from the one she knew before marriage.
Not every experience was positive. She shared that one early dating situation became complicated after she discovered the person she was seeing already had a girlfriend.
Despite those challenges, Lorraine eventually met someone she has been dating for several months. She has kept many details about the relationship private but has expressed happiness about the connection.
Ana has also supported Lorraine during this process. She met Lorraine’s new partner and encouraged her as she explored the possibility of building a new relationship.
The two women have even gone on a double date with their partners. For Lorraine, moments like that highlight how much her family dynamic has changed while still maintaining strong connections.
Looking back on the year since her divorce, Lorraine does not describe the journey as simple. She has faced difficult moments, major responsibilities, and emotional adjustments.
However, she also sees the experience as an opportunity to grow. Lorraine is continuing to build a life centered on her daughters, her career, and a deeper understanding of who she is.
Her story has moved beyond the end of a marriage and toward a broader picture of rebuilding. As she continues into this new chapter, Lorraine is embracing change while creating a future that reflects who she is becoming.
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