Two couples discovered happiness after all of them divorced and started living together, challenging the norms of modern relationships.
Ethical non-monogamy isn’t a novel concept. The idea of relationships involving more than two people has likely been around for as long as human relationships have existed.
In recent times, there has been a growing comfort among individuals in exploring and discussing the possibility of non-monogamous relationships while maintaining existing bonds.
This shift in mindset has been reflected in new legal frameworks.
In 2023, Somerville, Massachusetts, introduced the first multiple-partner domestic partnership ordinance. This legislation aimed to address the lack of access to partner protections, such as health insurance, for people in polyamorous relationships.
One group decided to embrace these new opportunities, including married couple Rachel and Kyle Wright.
After several years of marriage, Rachel and Kyle began exploring polyamory in 2019. Rachel, a 34-year-old marriage family therapist from New York, discussed with Insider how she and Kyle had been interested in non-monogamy since they first got together.
“But because our society is so mono-normative, I didn’t really have the courage to say, ‘Yes, this is what I want,’ and neither did Kyle,” she shared with the outlet.
Once they decided to explore polyamory, they fully committed. They downloaded the Feeld app, which facilitates diverse dating styles, and listened to relevant podcasts.
Rachel, who is bisexual, noted that Kyle publicly came out as bisexual once they began dating other people.
She added: “I found so much joy in watching Kyle blossom, and was feeling more and more like myself. It was just so fun.”
The pandemic interrupted their plans, although they continued to date online. This eventually led them to meet married couple Yair Lenchner and Ashley Giddens.
The four hit it off, and as lockdown restrictions eased, they went on socially-distant dates and eventually merged their social bubbles.
They alternated date nights at each other’s houses. Although Kyle and Yair remained platonic, they became closer, with Rachel describing the experience as a ‘whirlwind.’
Around 18 months after meeting, the four decided to move in together. They adopted a puppy and created a house chore schedule, living like a family.
Despite forming a solid polycule, they realized their marriages were not beneficial. For instance, Rachel and Kyle were contributing to Yair and Ashley’s mortgage without building any equity.
Seeking a solution, they consulted lawyer Diana Adams, executive director of the Chosen Family Law Center, who has been pivotal in the development of multiple-partner domestic partnership laws.
Although New York has yet to adopt similar ordinances, the couples decided to divorce to move closer to being recognized as a polycule. This allowed them all to be listed individually on a cohabitation agreement.
Adams explained: “With domestic partnerships, you don’t entangle your finances like marriage. In some ways, I think that’s a good thing.”
Unfortunately, Kyle has since parted ways with the foursome. Rachel shared on Instagram that it was a mutual decision, explaining that Kyle “wants to do some work on himself and figure out who he is.”
“Is this permanent? I don’t know. Maybe,” she said. “But, for now, and for the foreseeable future, Kyle will be living in Brooklyn and Yair, Ash and I are going to stay at our house.”