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A 27-year-old former 'Love Island' contestant explains how he stays buddies along with his ex whereas relationship one other lady

  • On TLC’s present “You, Me, & My Ex,” De’Andre introduces his girlfriend of 1 yr to his ex-girlfriend from faculty.
  • Tensions come up as a result of De’Andre’s ex-girlfriend has a friendship along with his mom, who lives in the identical city.
  • De’Andre informed Insider that dwelling in a distinct metropolis and studying from his girlfriend, who’s a divorced single mother, helps.

When Elodie met her boyfriend De’Andre’s mom for the primary time just a few months in the past, she additionally met his ex-girlfriend.

De’Andre, Elodie, and Rowan, the ex, are featured on the second season of TLC’s actuality tv present “You, Me, & My Ex,” the place {couples} navigate their relationships when one companion remains to be shut with a previous companion. Within the sequence, exes’ ranges of closeness range, with some selecting to proceed friendships with their exs and others having their ex transfer in.

Rowan, who’s 27, lives in Atlanta whereas De’Andre and Elodie stay in Miami. Regardless of the space, Rowan mentioned she texts De’Andre typically with relationship recommendation and will get lunch along with his mom, who lives in Atlanta too, she informed Insider.

Elodie mentioned she felt a bit jealous and shocked when, after two months of solely relationship, De’Andre, who’s 27, revealed his continued connection to his ex. However the 29-year-old mentioned she was in a position to flip her confusion into understanding due to her expertise as a single, divorced mom.

“What is the level of me controlling his life and saying, ‘Hey, you’ll be able to’t speak to that individual as a result of I really feel jealous or I am intimidated.’ I really feel like that is improper,” Elodie informed Insider.

She mentioned that working by means of uncomfortable emotions and conversations has been rewarding, particularly as a result of it challenges the stereotype that youthful {couples} could be immature.

De’Andre’s ex-girlfriend turned like household when he moved away

De’Andre, a former “Love Island” contestant and minor league baseball participant, dated his ex-girlfriend Rowan whereas she was in faculty on the College of South Carolina in Columbia. De’Andre, whose household lived in Columbia, was residence visiting throughout his low season when he met Rowan out at a bar.

They dated for 4 years, however determined to interrupt up as soon as they moved to Atlanta and De’Andre needed to continuously journey for his baseball video games. The connection ended on good phrases, and he moved to Miami quickly after, he informed Insider.

In line with Rowan, who says she moved to Atlanta for her profession in 2018, being in several cities and having a yr of no contact gave them the time and house to heal.

“Within the second of the breakup, I do not assume both of us anticipated the friendship that we have now now. I believe you want that distance to grieve after which transfer on,” Rowan informed Insider. 

In Atlanta, Rowan reconnected with De’Andre’s mom, who had additionally moved there, post- breakup. She mentioned she all the time felt shut with De’Andre’s mom and would ask her for relationship recommendation once they have been nonetheless relationship.

“I informed her, ‘I do not wanna lose a relationship with you,'” Rowan mentioned, and De’Andre’s mom was instantly in settlement.

De’Andre additionally began to textual content Rowan to test on his mom or assist her with errands, as he had no different buddies or household within the space, he mentioned.

Specializing in belief to fight emotions of jealousy

When Elodie first discovered about De’Andre’s dynamic with Rowan, she apprehensive about the way it may affect their romance. However remembering that she trusts him helped her reframe her issues about issues like infidelity, she mentioned.

“He is aware of what he is received at residence. So if he desires to mess up, then that is his downside,” Elodie informed Insider.

She additionally reminded herself of her personal friendship together with her ex-husband, who she has a younger baby with, which helped fight insecurities she initially felt, she mentioned.

A budding surprising friendship between ladies who’ve dated the identical man

For Elodie, assembly Rowan on the present helped her really feel extra snug. Now, they’re getting nearer and forming a friendship of their very own. Though Elodie and De’Andre have been relationship for eight months, it wasn’t till the present that the ladies first met face-to-face.

“Now that we do know one another, it is extra like, ‘Hey lady, when can I see you? When can we hang around?’ We do not actually discuss me and De’Andre,” Elodie mentioned. She added that avoiding conversations about their pasts helps maintain the dynamic wholesome.

Rowan mentioned she’ll typically give De’Andre relationship recommendation, each solicited and unsolicited, about how he helps Elodie and her younger daughter, who he considers turning into a stepfather to on the present.

“Rowan has informed me numerous instances that this can be a large position I’d be entering into. She’s helped me perceive that so much,” De’Andre informed Insider.

Elodie appreciates when Rowan jumps in, she mentioned, as a result of it appears like Rowan is supporting her.

Earlier than Elodie and Rowan met, De’Andre mentioned he centered on fixed and sincere communication with Elodie, to verify they understood one another’s emotions. He mentioned their conversations are all the time “blunt” as a result of he by no means desires to cover the reality, even when it isn’t the nicest factor to say.

In the end, De’Andre mentioned introducing his girlfriend to his ex has been a rewarding course of, and one which he hopes can serve for example for others.

Originally posted 2023-04-29 10:11:00.