LnF: Better to go in with your eyes wide open. With girls - there is always drama. And tears. With my son - much less so. He broke up with his GF while I was in Europe (and still married). He didn't even TELL his dad. Just missed a day of school with a tummy ache. Of course he had to tell me the whole story when I returned. I guess its a "mom" thing. But there was not big drama at all.
No matter what when Ash put me through the wringer, I just kept reminding myself that she loves me and someday she'll remember all this and laugh. Hopefully I will too.