The word "divorce" sounds unpleasant to me, like a swear word. I wonder if instead, you said, "we un-sparkled" it would feel less harsh coming out of your mouth? I'll bet over time even "un-sparkled" would begin to sound unpleasant just because it is associated with something that is almost guaranteed to have left one of the two people involved in tears.
I was lucky to mate with my wife for this whole life. She doesn't mind that I take off for weeks and months at a time while I watch over Kay. Her hoot is distinct, and I can find her anywhere. I do like spending time alone but I know when I start getting snappy with everyone, it's time to go home for a bit. No matter what nest we happen to be living in, whenever I see her face and she smiles, it’s home.