I respectfully dissent. I believe the effect of the long-standing rule against retention of *604jurisdiction to modify child custody has always been that a party who wishes to avoid the rule must show exceptional circumstances. See In re Marriage of Schlenker, 300 N.W.2d 164, 165-66 (Iowa 1981). The majority concludes Sarah has not shown exceptional circumstances. Consequently, we are obligated to enforce the law in this case, as we are in all cases.