7 hours Ago By The Sun
WHEN Megan Meyer split from her ex, she never imagined they’d share a home again. Here, the 25-year-old mum of two from California reveals what makes their very modern set-up a success.Megan lives with her ex-husband Tyler (left) and fiancé Michael (right) and their childrenMEGAN MEYERWith her fiancé Michael and their sonMEGAN MEYERWatching Tyler and Michael, the two men I live with, happily doing DIY together, you’d be forgiven for thinking we’re all just housemates.
But, in fact, our living arrangements are much more unique.I was married to police officer Tyler, now 25, from 2020 to 2023, and I’m now engaged to my childhood sweetheart Michael, 25, a labourer, who I’ve been back together with since 2023.I’ve had a child with each man, and the five of us are one big, modern family unit.
Our life together may raise eyebrows, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.I met Michael when we were just 14, growing up in our home town of Oceanside, California.Friends since high school, we dated for a few months when we were both 17.
He was so caring and supportive, and I was head over heels in love with him – until, four months into our relationship, our parents found out we’d slept together after word got out among our friends, and we were forced to break up.We briefly rekindled our friendship in 2018, but we kept things platonic.Then, in 2019, I met Tyler on the dating app Bumble.
He was in the US Marine Corps at the time and was stationed on a nearby base, and I quickly fell in love with his amazing sense of humour.On January 25, 2020, Tyler and I got married.By this point, Michael and I were no longer in touch – Tyler knew about our history, and I decided to let the friendship slide as I wanted to focus on our marriage and give it my best shot.
Tyler and I decided to put our roots down in Tennessee, where he got a job with the police and I became a stay-at-home mum to our daughter.We loved each other deeply, but our marriage was turbulent.I struggled with being so far away from my friends and family, as I felt isolated.
So, eventually, in September 2023, we made the decision to separate.Everything had happened so fast, I felt like I was living in a tornado – at just 23, I was in the process of going through a divorce, with a child to look after.I had to rebuild my life, so in October 2023, I moved back to my hometown with our daughter, settling into a new home and reconnecting with old friends.
‘Tyler suggested he move nearer to our daughter, and Michael thought it was a great idea’I got in touch with Michael to ask if he knew of any job vacancies in the area, and he helped me secure a role as a student supervisor in a kindergarten, working alongside his mum.We began speaking more, then meeting up, and that November, we tentatively started dating again.Being with him felt so natural, but we decided to see how things went before telling Tyler.
Tyler and Megan got married in 2020, but are now divorcedThe last thing I wanted to do was hurt him by moving on.Weeks later, however, Michael and I were shocked but delighted to discover I was pregnant.I knew I had to tell Tyler, and as I phoned him to break the news, I felt as if I couldn’t breathe with nerves.
Thankfully, he said he was happy for me, and I was so relieved.We were on great terms for our daughter, and I didn’t want anything to spoil that.Then, to my surprise, Tyler suggested he move to Oceanside to be nearer to our daughter to make co-parenting her easier, especially as I was soon going to have another little one to care for, too.
Michael – who isn’t the jealous type, and trusts me completely – and I both thought it was a great idea, and in March 2024, Tyler relocated to an apartment 20 minutes’ away from my place.How to live with an exThe Sun’s Agony Aunt, Sally Land has shared her advice. “Breaking up doesn’t necessarily mean moving out these days with increasing numbers of separating couples still living together because they can’t afford to run two homes.
“Falling out of love, while still sharing a kitchen, a bathroom and lounge, comes with its obvious challenges and plenty of readers write to me for advice on how to navigate these often boiling waters. These are my guidelines..
.”1. Family FirstCreate a plan that works for you, your ex and very importantly, any children that you have.
You don’t need to be conventional, but you all need to feel safe and secure with your set up. There aren’t many hard and fast rules to live by – do what works for you.2.
No Corridor CreepingHaving said that, there aren’t many rules – this has to be the one I’d set in stone because it always muddies the waters, ultimately causing more confusion and hurt. So whatever you do, don’t be tempted to have sex with your ex. To truly move forward you need separate bedrooms.
3. Enjoy Separate Time With The KidsThis will help everyone adjust to your new status and give you both essential space.4.
Sort A Kitchen Timetable Have separate slots in your shared spaces. So when it comes to cooking evening meals you can avoid the stress of squeezing past each other to get to the fridge.5.
Make Your Bedroom Your Safe SpaceYou’ll likely have limited time in communal rooms like the lounge and kitchen so use the time to catch up on that book stack next to your bedside, or do a course – use your bedroom as your cocoon and start building yourself back up6. Give Each Other Space Conversationally As a couple your lives were intertwined now as part of your transition, make your conversations more intentional. Limit your discussions to good communication around shared interests; the kids, the house or flat, the finances.
This will not only give you space to find your new way, but also show your partner you want to respect theirs.7. Have A Plan It can be incredibly painful and challenging living with someone after you have decided to split and there’s nothing more dispirating than feeling stuck.
So work on a plan that enables you to separate fully. Start saving, think about doing a little overtime, or taking on a second job. When you can see a way out you will feel reassured.
8. Clear Communication Your children will know something is changing so explain to them what your agreement is while reassuring them you both love them and that won’t change.If you are worried about anything you can write to me and my team of counsellors on deardeidre@the-sun.
co.uk for free and personal advice.As my pregnancy progressed, it was inevitable the men would run into each other and, admittedly, it was pretty awkward.
The atmosphere was often tense until, a few months later, Tyler sat us down and explained he’d been angry with Michael at how quickly things had progressed between us, but he’d now made his peace with it.From that day on, they became great buddies.We all often found ourselves complaining about the soaring cost of living, but then one day Michael – who didn’t live with me at this stage either – joked: “We should all just move in together!”Although we laughed, it planted a seed in my mind.
I couldn’t stop wondering: was this the best thing for all of us?Last May, after mulling it over (and checking with Michael that he wasn’t joking!), I suggested to Tyler that we all share one home and split living expenses.He was really enthusiastic, agreeing it made perfect sense and that he had no problem living with me and Michael.‘People often think we’re a polyamorous couple, but nothing could be further from the truth’Most people were shocked and sceptical, but supportive of Tyler and me both being there for our daughter.
We began house-hunting and two months later, in July 2024 – just weeks before my son was born – we all moved into a four-bedroom townhouse, with Tyler living in the converted garage.Although the guys got on brilliantly, the first few months were challenging. My postpartum hormones were all over the place, which meant Tyler and I clashed a lot over logistical things like childcare and chores.
We had to adjust to living under one roof, and it brought back some of the feelings I’d had at the end of our marriage, like bitterness and hurt, as well as the guilt I felt about how quickly I’d moved on.But Michael was my rock, and any time I had a wobble, he reminded me it was only natural we’d encounter bumps in the road as we navigated our new blended family.It took a few months before things settled down, and now, nine months in, we really are all great friends, who love to listen to music together, play video games and eat meals with the children.
We share the chores and bills equally, and Tyler is happy to babysit if Michael and I need to leave the house for appointments or to run errands.Megan and ex-husband Tyler with their daughterIt is a bit cramped, but we’re making the best of what we have. Our dream is to move into a family compound – a site with separate living spaces, so we can continue to share resources but still thrive as individuals.
We post blended-family content to TikTok, where people often think we’re a polyamorous couple and I’m sexually involved with both men.But nothing could be further from the truth.Michael and I are getting married at the end of the month, and Tyler is in a new relationship.
His girlfriend often visits to hang out with us – she loves how well the three of us co-parent together.As for anyone who says it’s not good for the kids, we believe this is the best possible dynamic for both of our children to thrive.My daughter has her mum and dad living under one roof, and we all get along like good friends – what could be healthier than that?Our love story might not be traditional, but we want people to know happy families look different for everyone, and I wouldn’t change ours for the world.
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