Linda Fruits, an American mother who came out as a lesbian at 32, divorced her husband, Christopher Haerting, but chose to continue living with him so they could raise their children together.
Fruits had been married for nearly five years when she realised she was not attracted to men in the way she had expected. She initially thought she might be bisexual, but came out as a lesbian in August 2021.
Haerting supported her, although both had to come to terms with the end of their marriage. They finalised their divorce in February 2024 but decided against setting up separate homes.
Instead, Haerting converted an office into a bedroom, allowing the former couple to continue raising their two children under one roof.
“We started as best friends, and that’s how we ended up, too,” Fruits said, explaining that their relationship had become largely platonic before they separated.
The arrangement also helps them share household expenses and direct more resources towards their children. However, Fruits said living together after divorce requires honest communication and clear boundaries.
Her family has since grown to include her fiancée, Maddy Gross, and their son, Arlo, whom Haerting fathered. The three adults and three children now live together as one household. <
