"Some of that might mean nights on my porch crying, drinking whiskey, and going, 'Man, this sucks right now,'" she says about working through the relationship's end (quotes via ET).

Still, Lambert has a positive outlook on what she's been through and what she managed to build with Shelton. "Marriage is a tough business, and we gave it our best college try," she says. "I had a great relationship with an amazing man, so I know what good is. I have a great launching pad for the future. I will never take that for granted."