My best friend in the entire world is the person that I go to for everything, she knows all my secrets and knows me better than I know myself- I also dated her cousin. My ex's mom, dad, sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins all wished me a happy birthday, came to my grad party and come over for dinner! I'm not only friends with one ex's entire extended family I'm also friends with another ex’s two younger sisters. I'm friends with two different ex’s family members.

Yikes! When I tell people this I usually get the same response, “That’s so weird! Are you crazy?” I know that when most people breakup with someone they try to forget all about them and never speaking to their family again goes along with that. But I didn't want loose the friendships I had with their family members just because our relationship didn't workout.

Is it awkward? It was, but only at the beginning of the breakup. It took me longer to move on and I couldn’t rant to my best friend’s about how stupid my ex was because they are related to them! I didn’t want to put them in between a rock and a hard spot by being disrespectful. I also couldn’t get upset and cry around them about my breakup with their family member -- that would also be uncomfortable.

It was also difficult when my best friend called me and told me that my ex had a new girlfriend, there was this awkward pause, we both didn’t know what to say! Another thing is I naturally share in depth and personal things about my relationship with guys to my best friend’s and I can’t share those things with them- they don’t want to know!

Despite people thinking that it’s weird, the ex’s rarely get brought up when I hangout with their family members. They aren’t my ex’s family members to me anymore- they’re just my friends! I’m thankful that they chose to stay in my life even though I used to date their family members. It's now just become a funny story on how we met, “Oh yeah lol she dated my brother,” or, “Did you know Lauren dated my cousin?” at this point, it’s just a thing we joke about.

It really isn't awkward. Honestly, they feel like family now. They've stood by my side through everything, they support me, help me grow and love me and I really do love them, with all my heart- they're truly wonderful. I wouldn't be the same without them. They mean the world to me. Staying friends with my ex's family members has been such a positive experience for me and it really is possible, I’m so thankful for their amazing friendship!