When a Man Is Friends with His Exes

I recently went on a few dates with a guy whom I’d met at a party.

Everything about him looked good on paper: he’s my age, cute, professional, and responsible, no kids, a dog owner, legally divorced. He came with good credentials—it turns out that he’s a friend of a friend—and he’s a good communicator (at least by texting).

Although the chemistry wasn’t instant, our conversations seemed easy enough.

So, here’s my question:

This guy just bought a home, which he has been renovating like crazy. He called to let me know that he’s having a going away dinner party at his condo before he officially moves out.

I was touched that he’d invited me. But a few days later, he left a message saying that he’d like to chat with me about the party.

I called him back, and he explained that he wanted me to know who would be coming to the party.

To preface, he explained that he once invited a date to a party and his ex-wife was there too. He went onto to say that his date hadn’t been too pleased about spontaneously meeting his ex-wife.

Anyway, he told me that this will be a small, intimate dinner party of eight, with the following guests:

1. His ex-wife (they got divorced two years ago, and have remained close friends)

2. Two women whom he briefly dated in the past year

3. A couple of neighbors

4. A couple of guy friends

5. And me

“Fun!” I said, flippantly. “Your exes and I can all sit around telling stories about you!”

He didn’t laugh.

Honestly, I have no issue with a man who remains friends with his exes.

As long as his boundaries are clear, remaining friends with one’s exes can be gratifying. Anyway, you can do the math: half of the women at this party have been intimately connected to him at some point.

I’d love to know: Have you ever dated a man who remains friends with so many exes?

Or, maybe you’re the one who has remained close to your exes?

Originally published on SingleMomSeeking

6 readers liked this story.
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04.24.2009
SingleMommyHood
It's great to hear that so many women can be friends with their exes -- and also have the maturity and confidence to meet their guys' exes. Way to go! I like how CleanLines puts it: "As long as I feel like I'm the one he treasures and is first, it works..."
04.24.2009
Caroline
I've dated men who were still friends with his exes. Most of them were still friends because they were still sleeping with each other. But there was one instance that the man I was dating wasn't sleeping with his ex but was still good friends with. It could go either direction. I say, go to the party, see how it all feels. If there are no red flags, fine, but ALWAYS follow your gut.
04.24.2009
Heather
well i do have to say, its a tough call. im trying to work on things with my ex and he wants to be friends with his ex only she happens to be the girl he left me for so i cant say i think that situation is really acceptable especially cause everytime he sees her she tries to hook up..so i mean if the line is clear and its clearly platonic there is no issue but if there are still feelings for one or the other then im not sure its really a good idea
04.19.2009
CleanLines
I have been dating a man for 6 months. In that time, I've met (at least) 3 women he's been intimate with. The first was at a dinner party at his house, the second he introduced me to when I visited him at a church youth gathering they were both chaperoning and the third was his second wife. He's a very sympathetic listener, so I can see why he remains friends with the women he's dated. He was single for about 6 years, so he's dated a lot of women in that time and he's a very nice man, so he's remained friends with most of them. I'm not comfortable with it but it's part of who he is and I'm trying to trust him. At the same time, I have let him know what isn't acceptable to me and he's done everything he can to limit his contact with them and to make sure it is only friends - no flirting, no getting together alone with them. As long as I feel like I'm the one he treasures and is first, it works, even though I've never met so many of my boyfriend's exes with any other man I've dated
04.17.2009
Dana
I tend to maintain exes as friends, always have. I generally don't date someone who I wouldn't be friends with. It doesn't always work out, there was one who thought it meant he would be a friend with benefits, and didn't take my lack of interest very kindly. And I have dated one or two who were not at all comfortable with my continued friendships. But those who have endured have become treasured in my life, and I wouldn't trade them.
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