About 6 years ago, I made a new friend, Harli. We met at a mutual friend's graduation party which was fun. We hit it off and instantly connected. We talked fairly often, but we were never super close. About a year later, we met again at the same mutual friend's house. This time, my new friend brought her boyfriend, Gordon, who is now my current boyfriend. So, I am currently dating a friend's ex.

Now, let me back it up a little. When he and I first met, we never talked. In fact, after that night, we didn't see each other or say a word to each other for almost 4 years. We were friends on Facebook and followed each other on Instagram, but that was it. I knew they were together, and I respected that (plus, I was interested in his younger brother, so I wasn't even paying attention to Gordon at the time).

Harli and I were still friends, and she and Gordon eventually broke up. We talked every so often, and we were there for each other when we needed to be. We weren't the best of friends, but we were still friends. To this day, we still talk every once in a while, and I even felt comfortable enough to ask her about writing this article.

Anyway, Gordon and I reconnected about a year and a half ago for the first time since we first met. He posted his Snapchat code on Instagram, and I decided to add him. Not because I was interested in him at the time, but I just wanted to reconnect and see how he was. Little did I know that we would end up dating shortly after.

When we first saw each other again, it was a little weird. I felt uncomfortable because I thought about Harli almost the entire time. I didn't think I was being a very good friend, but she had gotten married and had two kids by this point. Regardless, I fell for him. Hard. He also fell just as hard.

We were talking for a while before we decided to go public. When we finally did, I got nervous; I wasn't sure how Harli was going to react to me dating one of her exs. Looking back now, I should have said something to her about us instead of blindsiding her the way I did. Still, I was nervous.

Of course she messaged me when she found out. My heart sank to my stomach, and I felt horrible. She asked if we were dating, and I said yes. Afterwards, she told me she hopes we find true happiness together. I felt relieved.

Gordon and I have been together for about a year now, and I'm happier than I ever thought I could possibly be. Our situation is a little messy, but I think that's what makes it even better. When people ask how we met, we usually laugh a little, and we laugh about the situation ourselves because it's not ideal.

Harli and I still talk every now and then and want each other to be happy. While it may be a little weird that I'm friends with my boyfriend's ex, I wouldn't be with him without her, and I can't thank her enough for that.