Couple Takes a Bittersweet “Divorce Selfie” To Celebrate Maturity

Divorced couple Chris and Shannon Neuman aren’t letting their choice to grow apart turn them into bitter enemies. Instead, they revel in the fact that they have gracefully decided to end their marriage by posting a photo with the hashtag: #teamneuman #divorceselfie. It’s the first time in the history of couple selfies.

The photo resonated among thousands of people and went viral. I think it’s because of the brutal honesty and maturity of the couple.

Divorce Selfie

Here’s what Shannon Neuman said about the photo:

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. 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. 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. 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”

Here’s what Shannon’s former husband Chris commented on the selfie:

Shout out to the Neumans for that prove that sometimes, letting go makes you stronger, not holding on.