BEN, KATIE & STEPHEN

Ben (44) - Katie’s Husband

Katie (34)

Stephen (35) - Katie’s Ex-Husband

Murfreesboro, TN

The Blended 10

The “Blended 10” takes being friends with your ex to a whole new level! Not only are exes Katie and Ben co-parenting their children, they are also the best of friends, and live next door to one another. Outsiders fail to understand why or how two exes can share so many aspects of their lives and get along so well. The matriarch or “queen bee” of this atypical tribe, Katie lives with her husband Ben next to her ex-husband Stephen and his new wife Morgan. Between Katie and Stephen’s children and Morgan’s children there are seven altogether between the two households. Oh and Ben’s oldest son from a previous relationship, Hunter, lives down the street. Until recently this entire tribe were all under the same roof until they needed more space.

Katie and Stephen grew up together as close family friends. Some say that they saw sparks flew from a young age. They really hit it off romantically when Stephen continually visited the cute waitress at his favorite spot. It was a fast-paced affair! They started dating in January and decided to elope at a tiny chapel in the Smokey mountains outside of Gatlinburg only three months later! They were young and in love! They had their first daughter soon after they were married. They shortly after had their second daughter Kaylynn and son Colston. Between learning how to be adults and raising three small babies, there was little to no focus on their marriage so the relationship between Katie and Stephen quickly went South. They began to resent one another, taking the pressure of work, raising kids and family responsibility out on one another. Their initial separation and divorce in 2015 was not easy and it took a drastic toll on their relationship as co-parents and friends.

After the divorce, Katie turned to one of Stephen's as well as her best friends, Ben. Both Ben and Katie were going through messy divorces and they grew closer over their shared experiences, being one another’s support system. One thing lead to another and the duo fell in love and were married in June 2016.

A year later, in 2017, Katie and Stephen were on the path to mending their broken relationship when Stephen was involved in a tragic car accident that killed his brother. Significantly injured in the wreck, Katie rushed to be by Ben’s side. It was at this moment their relationship instantly changed for the better. Katie and Ben decided to bring Stephen into their home to live with them and their kids to heal from his trauma. Stephen needed 24/7 care and Katie and Ben were there for him when he needed it the most. In Katie’s words, “once Stephen was healed, he knew that our home was his home. So he never left!” Katie, Ben and Stephen decided together that they would operate as one team moving forward.

Stephen and Katie’s friendship is undeniable. They whole-heartedly admit that they would be friends despite their children. They have keys to one another’s homes. They call and confide in one another. Their finances are intermixed. It does come with complications. If there is ever a disagreement, Ben says that Katie always takes Stephen’s side and goes to him first. He thinks that he is wife should come to him with an issue. Stephen, does the same thing in his new relationship; he goes to Katie for support, guidance and relationship counseling. They describe each other as their “ride or die” and truly lifelong soulmates just with different romantic partners.

Until recently, Stephen was single, but he met Morgan in 2020. He fell in love instantly and they eloped in March 2021 due to COVID-19. Both Katie and Ben will be in the upcoming Wedding Ceremony that will be held in September 2021. Katie insisted that she was a part of his groomsmen party because she is “his best friend.” Before Morgan, Stephen was in a terrible relationship that left him emotionally wounded. Now, that Morgan is entering the picture Katie has her guard up. She refuses to let anything or anyone hurt Stephen.

Originally, Morgan was going to move into their shared household but Morgan has children of his own from a previous relationship so they decided to be neighbors. However, the adults are beginning the conversation again about all moving in together. Everyone has a different answer if this is really a good idea. On one hand, parenting and managing a house of active kids will be easier to manage, not to mention cooking and cleaning for that number of people will be significantly easier with so many helping hands. However, Stephen and Morgan need to start their marriage on the best footing possible. They need to have a honeymoon year that prioritizes romance and relationship. How is that really possible when there’s so many kids, pet’s and exes in the mix? The fact is: Stephen’s first marriage ended because neither prioritized the relationship and focused on their children. Will moving in together be making the same mistake? Will Morgan, the newbie really be okay with sharing such close proximity to Stephen’s controlling, opinionated and outspoken ex? Will Katie really be okay watchingher ex find happiness with someone new?

Additional Characters:
Morgan (30) Stephen’s New Wife
Hunter (22) Ben’s son from a previous relationship
Gracelyn (14) Stephen and Katie’s Daughter
Kaylynn (13) Stephen and Katie’s Daughter
Colston (8) Stephen and Katie’s Son
Landon (11) Morgan’s Son
Riley (10) Morgan’s Daughter
Easton and Emerson (6) Morgan’s twin sons