Break ups are hard, but divorces can be gut wrenchingly difficult.
But one couple decided to shine a positive light on going their separate ways by sharing a ‘divorce selfie’ alongside a touching message about their relationship.
Rather than opting to serve their divorce papers with a side of bitterness and some ice cold revenge, Shannon and Chris Neuman from Calgary in Alberta have decided to stay in each other’s lives despite their split.
Sharing the picture online with beaming smiles, Shannon wrote on Facebook: “Here's Chris Neuman and I yesterday after filing for divorce!
“But we're smiling?! Yep, we're kooky like that. Are we smiling because the partner we chose for forever turned out not to be the forever partner we needed? Of course not.”
Shannon then revealed that they decided to accept their fate for their children.
“We're smiling because we have done something extraordinary (we think anyway!) We have respectfully, thoughtfully and honourably ended our marriage in a way that will allow us to go forward as parenting partners for our children, the perfect reason that this always WAS meant to be, so they will never have to choose.
Here's Chris Neuman and I yesterday after filing for divorce! But we're smiling?! Yep, we're kooky like that. Are we... > >
Posted by [Shannon Neuman](#) on [Thursday, August 27, 2015](https://www.facebook.com/shannon.neuman.5/posts/10153496501421422:0)
“They'll never have to wonder which side of the auditorium to run to after their Christmas concert or spring play, because we'll be sitting together.
“They won't have to struggle with their own wedding planning because we'll be sitting on the same side of the aisle - THEIR side.
“We have struggled, but we have succeeded in the plan we came up with together, to come out on the other side as their two parents who live in two houses who give them two teams to love them up two times as much.”
She then encouraged other couples to share they positivity, added: “And now that you know it's possible - please consider our way if you find yourself on this road, or share our message if we can help remind them that it's possible to love your kids more than you hate/distrust/dislike your ex (which we have felt at times on the journey but for the record we do actually like each other). Nice work #teamneuman #divorceselfie.”
The couple have since been praised for their open-mindedness, but would you be prepared to go down a similar route?
Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.