Divorced Mom Lives With Her New Husband, Ex-Husband And New Partner Under One Roof

Nov 21, 2022 by apost team

An incredible and heartbreaking set of circumstances resulted in a now-divorced Tennessee couple living together with their new spouses and children, both theirs as well as new ones that arrived thanks to the new loves of their lives. How did this all come about?

The first step was Katie Blackmer and Stephen Shepard, her ex-husband, experiencing a souring of their relationship. Unfortunately, this is not all that abnormal as about 50% of marriages end in divorce, and they joined that group. It was not an easy time in the following months, but they got through it and moved on. The two had divorced in January 2016 but continued to work together afterward to co-parent their 5-, 10- and 11-year-old children. However, tragedy hit 16 months later as Stephen and his brother were involved in a horrible car accident, one that killed his brother and injured Stephen so badly that he required 24/7 care for months after.

Despite being divorced, Katie rushed to Stephen's aid and also took care of their children before she and Ben Blackmer, her new husband, welcomed him into their 2,500-square-foot home in Christiana, 45 miles southeast of Nashville, after the hospital released him. Then, once he recovered and could take care of himself, he didn't leave. The situation just seemed right to him, helped by the high cost of homes in the area, and Katie told him that her and Ben's home was his home.

“Once (Stephen) was released from the hospital, we brought him home to us,” Katie told People, adding “He had to have full 24-hour care for about a month and a half. Once (Stephen) was healed, he knew that our home was his home. So he never left.” 

But this didn't stop Stephen from pursuing a new love, either. He soon met Brandy, they hit it off and, all of a sudden, this crazy story had settled into a divorced couple living in the same home with their new beaus – and, on top of that, six children as of August 2018. 

The additional three children were Ben's 19-year-old son and Brandy's 7- and 9-year-old children. Although outsiders may expect this situation to be the epitome of awkwardness, horribly tense and uneasy at worst, it really hasn't been. Katie told People the atypically extended family has gotten on well together. “We call ourselves the ‘Blended 10!’ ” Katie said, adding confidently “This works for us!”

Katie said it also helped that Stephen and Ben were already friends before the former moved in. As for the household bills in the two-story, five-bedroom home? They split it 50/50.

“Our house is hectic all the time. There’s always someone screaming from playing, running around, chasing each other. It’s loud,” Katie said. “It’s kind of like being with a college roommate, but it just works. I was nervous, but it has all just fallen together and we have a wonderful family.” 

Katie said she has run into some critics of her living situation but was adamant she wouldn’t trade places with anyone else. “As far as our family and close friends go, they are all supportive. We do run into people who are like, ‘Have y’all lost your mind?’ ” Katie said, adding “This is our plan from here on out. It’s loud and hectic. But I don’t know what I would do in a quiet house now!”

apost.com

Could you imagine continuing to live with your ex after a divorce? Would you prefer having a full house filled with parents and kids or a quieter home? Let us know and be sure to pass this along to friends and family.