Have you ever been friends with a couple? I'm not talking about your friend being in a relationship. I'm talking about being friends with both members of a relationship. It definitely has some great pros but that is not what I'm about today.
What do you do when your couple friend is fighting? Who do you side with? Are there sides? I typically try to talk to each party constructively. Letting them vent and giving advice if they want it but never bashing the other person. This typically has worked well for me. However, what do you do with secrets or shady information?
I have been put in this situation twice now. Most recently last night. Though they are different. I will detail the first as it's less fresh and more unbiased.
SITUATION #1
I have a good friend, let's call her Kitty Cat. Kitty Cat is dating 007. 007 doesn't have the squeakiest of reputations and that's always caused a bit of turbulence in their relationship. Well, it came to my attention, that 007 had been nefarious with another woman at the beginning of him and. Kitty Kat's relationship. Being good friends with both of them, I had to decide what to do.
WHAT I DID: I let 007 know that I was going to tell Kitty Kat what I heard and then told Kitty Kat.
HOW IT WORKED OUT FOR ME: 007 was very pissed at me and I had to deal with his anger (by crying mostly, for as direct as I am, I'm also a huge pussy). They are still together and everything is out in the open and 007 is much less shady. I do not regret my plan of action. Plus he seems to have forgiven me. Probably because of all of the crying.
SITUATION #2
This time I was an eye witness to the shady event. Also there is a bit more gray area on the rights and wrongs of the situation but pretty black and white about how the person would feel if they knew.
WHAT I DID: I told my friend.
HOW IT WORKED OUT FOR ME: I don't know yet. Time will tell. But this isn't about me. All I know is that two of my friends are really hurting and I don't want them to. I don't know if they'll stay together or officially end it. Or how they talked about it or anything really. But it's not my business if they do not choose to share it with me.
I know they will both be ok. Eventually. It may take time. But they are both wonderful people and are going to lead wonderful lives, regardless if they are together or not.
Bottom line: I made this post under the illusion that I had a choice in this matter, when I didn't. I will always tell my friends something they should know. My only regret is that I did not give the accused party the chance to tell my hurt friend before I stepped in. But a clouded mind and a throbbing morning after headache did not exactly help my judgement.
We'll see how it all plays out.
Little Tornado
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