Married Couple Both Fall in Love With Woman and Become a Throuple

Lauren and Michael were college sweethearts and spent years together before tying the knot. But when the pair met Jessica, their marriage as they knew it changed forever. This is the throuple's love story.

It Began With Two

To understand how this throuple came to be, we first have to rewind about a decade. Michael and Lauren met in 2011 while in school for their Bachelor's Degrees. These college sweethearts had no idea what their futures held.

The lovebugs didn't need much time to know they were meant to be. Michael and Lauren had plenty of similarities: both enjoyed time in the great outdoors, being active, and hanging with friends and family. Five months in, and the duo was nuts for one another.

A Deepening Bond

When the couple's time in college came to an end, their romance stayed strong. It became clear that this wasn't just a college fling - this might be it. The more hardships and laughter the pair experienced, the closer they grew. Yet sometimes, it felt like Michael and Lauren needed something more in the relationship.

The feeling that something was missing periodically crept up, but still, the pair's love was too strong to give up on. And about five years after Lauren and Michael first started dating, the pair felt ready to make their romance more official and got engaged.

The Big Day

Like most couples, Michael and Lauren faced plenty of challenges on their road to marriage. But each time the couple encountered an obstacle in life or romance, they overcame it together. The duo glowed when their big day finally arrived, and the lovers became Mr. and Mrs. Anzivino.

In the blink of an eye, two years passed. Lauren and Michael grew closer, and their family expanded as the lovebirds added an adorable dog to the bunch. But still, from time to time, both partners felt that there was a type of hole that needed filling in the relationship.

An Unexpected Encounter

One of the things that Michael and Lauren enjoyed most was listening to live music. This passion ultimately led to an unexpected (and life-changing) encounter with a special someone. In the summer of 2018, the married couple met Jessica Handlan at a concert.

Jessica approached the duo, and the three hit it off practically right away. The new friends spent the night vibing and chatting, getting to know one another. Michael and Lauren were caught off guard by how intensely they bonded with Handlan. Could this go beyond friendship?

Considering a Poly Relationship

Lauren and Michael were friendly people and often enjoyed getting to know new acquaintances. But there was something different about what happened that night with Jessica; it wasn't the usual friendly encounter. "I felt a huge energy shift in the room," Mrs. Anzivino explained.

Fortunately, Michael felt something similar. Both partners agreed that Jessica might be more fitting as a romantic partner than in the friend zone. It wasn't the first time the married couple discussed polyamory, but it actually felt like a possibility this time.

It Was Mutual

Lauren and Michael couldn't keep Jessica off their minds. Fortunately, the feeling was mutual. "No hesitation, as soon as I saw them, I approached without expectations and told Lo [Lauren] how beautiful she was," Jessica shared of the fateful night the three met.

Just like when Michael and Lauren first met, it didn't take long to figure out that this incredible woman shared many of their interests. All three loved being physically active and adventuring. But there was one thing the couple didn't have in common with her.

It Wasn't Jessica's First Poly Relationship

As the old saying goes, it wasn't Jessica's first rodeo. While Lauren and Michael had never been in a polyamorous romance, their new friend came with experience and was in more than one poly relationship in her lifetime. But was this love triangle destined for that?

With Jessica's wisdom from past experiences at hand, the trio decided to give their three-way relationship a try. They took things slowly and carefully as the friends-turned-lovers began going out on official dates. As the weeks passed, the throuple fell into a new routine together.

They Fell in Love

After some time, the lovers felt committed to each other. Their connection as a trio was undeniable. "There are several points in the relationship that led to 'falling in love,'" Michael shared. "You experience all the amazing things with each other, and then one day, it just hits you."

He continued, "It's not so much the events, as it is the consistency and intensity." So Michael and Lauren officially went from being a twosome to opening up their marriage to include a third person. The throuple relationship felt right. Little did this trio know where life would lead them...

It Wasn't Simple

So Michael, Lauren, and Jessica were all in love with one another. But, as expected, that didn't mean everything in the relationship came easily. After all, there were now not two but three people whose feelings and well-being needed constant consideration.

There were no set rules for polyamory. So how did the trio decide to approach their three-way romance? An equal split. "Our delta is a 33 percent shared love between the three of us. We all have equal responsibilities to care for ourselves and each other," Michael shared.

A Total Of Four Relationships

But the way the lovers saw it, they weren't involved only in one relationship. Sure, all of them were united as a throuple and went out on dates together, but there were still individual relationships within the three-way romance. The man himself explained it best.

"Although our triad is predominantly the three of us, there are three additional relationships that need recognition: Michael and Lauren, Michael and Jess, Lauren and Jess," Mr. Anzivino clarified. That meant the lovebugs focused on the three of them as a whole, as well as the various twosomes within the throuple.

Three Times the Help

Going from taking care of their connection with just one other person to balancing a throuple was no simple feat, but Michael and Lauren knew it was worth the dedication. And while opening their relationship to Jessica brought its unique challenges, it also had plenty of benefits.

For example, the chances of not having a house key were drastically reduced. "We have a running joke for when we leave the house - if one of us forgets something, it's almost guaranteed that one of the others will remember to grab it," Michael said. But not everyone saw it this way...

Would Their Families Approve?

For years, Michael and Lauren were madly in love but couldn't escape the feeling that a piece was missing from their puzzle. Now that the twosome added Jessica to the mix, that hole finally filled. The Anzivinos became more and more certain that their throuple would work.

But in a world where most couples we see in moves and tv shows are monogamous twosomes, Lauren and Michael probably couldn't help but be a little nervous about telling their families. Would the couple's loved ones judge them? There was only one way to find out...

Telling Loved Ones

Telling her family was less difficult for Jessica. It wasn't Handlan's first polyamorous relationship, so the young woman's loved ones were hardly surprised by the update. But Michael and Lauren faced a different situation: they had to tell people their years-long relationship was now a throuple.

While Lauren's family initially struggled to accept the change, they ultimately "warmed up." Years in, all three of the throuple member's loved ones embraced the trio and were "welcoming, accepting, and loving." But that didn't mean there wasn't trouble in paradise.

The Hard Parts

Michael, Lauren, and Jessica worked well as a trio. Their passions, energies, and values synced, and they truly made the three-way relationship work. But just like in any romance or even friendship, the throuple naturally encountered bumps in the road, too.

Being in a healthy polyamorous relationship meant the lovebirds needed to be extra conscious of their personal weaknesses when it came to self-confidence and jealousy. When was there actually a reason to be mad, and when was it someone's ego? Luckily, the throuple had a go-to outlet for most difficulties.

All About Self-Love (and Yoga)

One of the throuple's main ways of staying connected and grounded to themselves and one another was yoga. "The best way to take care of others is to take care of yourself. Start with this," Lauren advised. "Yoga, meditation, and your own health create space for loving yourself first."

"Knowing your worth will allow you to be free of insecurity, doubt, and jealousy," she continued. "Then, empower each other through the good and the bad. When new problems arise, face them head-on right away." But yoga and self-love couldn't cover all of the bases.

All About Communication

Obviously, there was more to the throuple's success than exercise and good self-esteem. As with many relationships, communicating well was one of the biggest aspects of maintaining a healthy romance. "Talk through challenges, big or small, and find a resolution together," Lauren explained.

"Being on the same page is crucial - especially when making big commitments. It's important to communicate each individual's wants and needs, all day, every day so that no emotions are suppressed," she further detailed. And with what the throuple's future had in store, all of this turned out to be crucial.

Spreading the Word

Michael, Lauren, and Jessica enjoyed sharing their love with the internet, although they didn't necessarily believe that polyamory can work for everyone. "We live by inspiring rather than influencing others. We serve to spread love everywhere we go," Mrs. Anzivino explained.

"Any relationship, monogamous or otherwise has its challenges," she added. "Being human, we are bound to feel insecurity, anger, sadness, etc. at some point." And the lovebirds' throuple was no exception. Even with their stellar communication, things sometimes got messy.

Feeling Excluded

Each one of the throuple lovers felt excluded at some point in the romance. "Although these emotions stem from both internal and external factors, we work together to consciously remove them from our space," Lauren shared of how they handle these situations.

But the Anzivino's had no doubts about the way their marriage had evolved. "If you constantly show happiness and light, you're more likely to attract those with aligned paths. If it means adding another person to the mix, embrace that," Lauren expressed. But strangers on the street didn't always spread love to the throuple...

The Haters

Friends and family weren't the only ones who (at least initially) struggled to accept the throuple. Even strangers had their opinions. Not to mention lots of confusing stares. "We usually have to repeat ourselves a few times to 'spell it out' for them," said Jessica.

"People are generally confused but intrigued to know more about the relationship," Mrs. Anzivino. "Most reactions are quite comical, and the questions start to pour in. Men, especially, are excited and envious." But some couldn't help but wonder whether the three-way romance would last.

The Test of Time

Michael, Lauren, and Jessica certainly settled into a new routine together. They traveled as a trio, went out on dinner dates, and lived their day-to-day lives with all three involved. Before the throuple knew it, it was t time to celebrate their one-year anniversary.

"Anyone who has crossed our paths since has witnessed how amazing this dynamic has become. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey," Mrs. Anzivino said on their anniversary. But with Lauren and Michael married, where did that leave Jessica in the long-term?

A Throuple Wedding?

As the throuple's first anniversary came and passed, it became clear that these lovers were in it for the long run. But what did that mean for Michael and Lauren's marriage? Would their three-way relationship ever be truly equal if only two of the members tied the knot?

The lovers considered all three getting married, but that turned out to be impossible in the United States. So they considered a destination wedding in Thailand or Indonesia, where a poly marriage was legal. But there was no rush for now, and the throuple soon had other matters on their hands... or better put, a baby in their hands.

A Big Change Was Coming

Michael, Jessica, and Lauren might've been ready to make their love official, but the trio's home country was not. But with the option of flying to Southeast Asia to do the deed, the lovebugs didn't waste too much energy on what they couldn't yet do and focused on what was possible.

The lovers' family grew as they adopted another husky puppy and named him Marley. But soon, Lauren, Jessica, and Michael wanted to take care of a living creature that didn't have fur and a tail. The throuple considered raising a child together. But with two women, who would get pregnant?

A Bun in Lauren's Oven

After plenty of yoga, meditation, and communication on the topic, the throuple decided to add a tiny human to their little family. The expectant mama, Lauren, shared her happiness on the Gram, telling followers that she was ecstatic to "Welcome a sweet little soul into [the] family."

But did this life-changing decision cause any doubts about the throuple's dynamic? With Michael's baby in her tummy, how did Mrs. Anzivino feel about all three of them raising the child? "I've never been more confident in knowing that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be," Lauren said.

Getting Ready For the Big Day

So Lauren felt sure about transitioning into throuple parenthood. But how did the other soon-to-be-mom feel? Fortunately, Jessica didn't have any doubts, either. She might've not been the one carrying the child this time, but that didn't mean they wouldn't all four be a family unit.

"Thank you for making it possible for us to bring a sweet little peanut into this world - I can't wait for all the baby booty bites and giggles, I love you," Jessica sweetly said to Lauren. The almost-parents even gave their little human a temporary name: Baby A, for Anzivino.

A Yogi Mama To Be

Pregnancy wasn't all rainbows and butterflies as Lauren got used to the many changes her body was going through. And while the expectant mom couldn't exercise too intensely, she stayed fit with a yoga routine. "I am so incredibly thankful everyday for my health and this yoga practice," Mrs. Anzivino said.

"It has allowed me to keep doing what I love most, while I grow a teeny human," she continued. "There's no better motivation to stay healthy, than when you're literally connected to another growing life." But the nine-month journey wasn't all smooth sailing.

The Doubts

But even with unconditional support from Michael and Jessica and lots of grounding meditation, Lauren sometimes felt down in the gutter. The young mama occasionally questioned whether she was ready to raise a child. "Not every day of pregnancy is as beautiful as it seems," Mrs. Anzivino admitted.

And aside from the mental and emotional hardships, there were also the bodily changes and pregnancy symptoms. "The physical aspects are taxing," Lauren explained. "But pregnancy is the most exciting reason to feel like crap!" The throuple got ready as the big day approached.

Welcoming Baby Aria

After many months of waiting and preparing, it was finally time to welcome the lucky baby who would soon have three doting parents. Aria Lyn Anzivino was born on December 22, 2020. Michael, Lauren, and Jessica's hearts overflowed with love as they met the precious little human.

Always one in touch with her body and nature, Lauren chose to deliver Aria in the comfort of their home and without medication. The happy mama said that the birth taught the throuple "the true meaning of 'women are warriors.'" The trio was officially a quad.

One Baby, Three Parents

Getting up for a crying baby in the middle of the night likely felt easier when there were three to take on the responsibility. Lauren, Michael, and Jessica were all wild about parenthood and made the best of every moment. And each one of the lovebugs felt bonded to the newborn.

"You have made me a mom and because of that, I promise to love you forever, unconditionally," Jessica expressed in a sentimental message dedicated to the throuple's baby girl. With every milestone, Aria had three encouraging faces smiling and celebrating her.

Some Things Never Change

Lauren took some time off after welcoming Aria, but the happy mama was back on the yoga grind as soon as she could. And with a new little friend next to her. Grounding themselves in yoga was especially beneficial for when the haters got to be too much.

Lauren, Michael, and Jessica shared their lives on social media. They weren't ashamed and wanted others to see that monogamous love wasn't the only possibility. But still, the judgment from those who disagreed with their throuple parenthood journey was at times overwhelming.

A Happy Family

Could the new parents handle the negative vibes from some internet users? While it wasn't always easy, the throuple ultimately had too much love and good energy to let strangers ruin what worked for them. And welcoming baby Aria only added to the family's affectionate nature.

As of the writing of this article, the committed throuple is thriving in their newfound parenthood. Michael, Jessica, and Lauren have successfully transitioned from a romantic trio to a family quad, and they're stronger than ever. You can follow their adventures on Insta @wearethr33_.