Jessica & Corey Karels
Minneapolis, MN
My husband and I first met on Christmas Eve, 1997. We started dating March 25, 1998, got engaged on the weekend of my 21st birthday (October 26 or 27, 2001… I forget!) and married on June 15, 2002. Even as we were dating, we realized we had the capacity to both love each otherandto love other people. It wasn’t until after we married that we discussed the possibility of pursuing those feelings.
In case anyone is curious, I was the one that initiated the conversation. I wasn’t “talked into” it… I asked and he said “sure” :o)
My marriage to Corey means that we promise to be a part of each other’s lives and to share our joys, sorrows, and hardships. It means providing a supportive environment for each of us to grow and find happiness.
Today I have a boyfriend (who is close friends with my husband), and he has a couple of romantic partners as well. My husband and I live on our own in a nice house in the suburbs. Over the years we mused about the possibility of being a part of a multi-partner family that lived under one roof (or in adjacent homes). That hasn’t happened yet, but we’re still open to the possibility.
His mom and that side of the family don’t know. My family does and they are supportive. Our friends know. Our co-workers know. We’re both privileged (and lucky) to work for a company that encourages diversity.
We know that others aren’t as fortunate, and try to be as visible as possible with the hope that it will help change minds and allow others to someday be able to “come out” without fear.
What polyamory means to me is to live where I see abundance rather than scarcity. Rather than feel threatened that my husband has feelings for other women, I feel happy that he has such a capacity to love and care for others. I’m also happy to receive love and support from two awesome men that have also grown to be close friends.
