Just about anyone with access to Hulu is at least passingly familiar with the show “Modern Family.” However, for New York Times Fashion Blogger Maria Bello, the modern family exists beyond fiction.

Bello spent her life between partners and lifestyle definitions. So when her 12-year-old son asked her if she was romantically involved with anyone she had some difficulty deciding how to answer. At the time, Bello dated her son’s godmother Clare and, on the advice of her therapist, kept their relationship quiet until her son asked.

‘He looked at me for what seemed like an eternity and then broke into a huge, warm smile. “Mom, love is love, whatever you are,” he said with wisdom beyond his years,” Bello wrote in her column.

She goes on to discuss the common perception of “partner” and what it really means to be a modern, functional family.

To read more about Bello’s real life modern family click here.