Being Friends (and Neighbors?!) with an Ex
It isn’t very often that you hear of exes becoming close friends, either by choice or by chance, but such is the case for Michelle Valladares and Jose Araujo who were once married, split up and are now neighbors. What’s more? Valladares lives with her second husband, also now a friend to Araujo. In an excerpt from O, The Oprah Magazine, Michelle, Jose and her current husband Malcolm Logan all explained the situation and why it works so well.
When the three discuss their dynamic, it’s pretty awe-inducing, as their friendship goes beyond a casual “hello.” When Malcolm and Michelle redid their kitchen, they did it with Jose in mind and purposely made seating for three available because they all eat together between four and six nights a week! To add to the uniqueness of the situation, they are all from different countries with none of their immediate families close by, so they consider each other family.
I can definitely see people becoming friends after a break-up because loving someone on an intimate and romantic level is different than appreciating someone’s company and the qualities they possess. That said, I can’t imagine being so close with an ex that I’d eat dinner with them nearly 90% of the week, specifically if said ex was in a new relationship. It’s a tough thing to understand as an outsider, but it definitely seems to work for that trio. Read more on [Oprah.com] and be sure to tell us your opinions, and any ex situations you’re in below!
-Lynden Halpern
Photo credit: Oprah.com
GIRL TALK TIME: What do you think of Michelle, Jose and Malcolm’s situation? Could you or would you ever live next door to an ex? Are you close with any of your exes? Why? What is the wackiest ex situation you’ve ever heard?
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42 Comments
Post a CommentI don’t see a problem with it as long as both mates agree to the friendship and there is absolute trust!
One of my best friends is an ex. we dated for 5 years he knows me better than almost anyone
no way …. just no
I am friends with all my ex’s and I believe its a good thing.
my ex is my current boyfriend’s bestfriend’s little brother. we hang out a lot together, and im glad hes my close friend. he knows more about me than some of my girl friends!
Every relationship is different. I think there may be one instance where I can see it being “okay”. Would I personally want this, no I don’t think so. I don’t think this would work very well.
THEY’RE NOT OUR EX’S FOR NOTHING. IF WE CHOSE TO BE FRIENDS THEN THAT SHOULD BE ALL
im friends with almost everyone i have dated
No Ex’s are Ex’s for a reason and if u become friends with them and have a new relationship it will only cause more drama so its not a good idea at all…
I have an ex that I was pretty much best friends with before we got together and once we broke up we were still able to remain that close He is the 1 ex that I still talk to
ohh no i couldnt live next to my ex boyfriends.. especially seeing girls in and out of there house i could maybe be friends but not live next to them !
No No No I could never live by one of my ex’s. Ex’s are Ex’s for a reason
Friends and good terms is one thing. Remodeling a kitchen with the ex specifically in mind in terms of seating is wayyy over the top. I think not having any close family in this country has definitely been a huge influencing factor on the relationship between these three.
I do not think this will work…esp for me
i think they can make it work as long as no one crosses the boundaries
I actually have a friend who is very good friends with her ex-husband and his new wife. I was only divorced a year ago and don’t even want to MEET my ex’s new girl yet. I can’t picture it ever happening. I guess everyone’s different.
exes are horrible; definitely not my friends, lol;; <3
Sometimes you don’t have a choice of being friends with and ex(or at least decent to them) especially if you have kids. I would probably be a lot closer to one of my ex’s if it wasn’t for my bf.
My best friend is my ex boyfriend
I’m friends with my two ex’s. It took some time to get over bad feelings from the breakups, but it was worth it for my two boys.