Couple is married for 20 years until they make a surprising discovery

Pacific Northwest (Canada) - When you've been in a relationship for over 20 years, you should think you know everything about each other. But it's a different story when you don't realize the secret that's been lying dormant for decades until much later. Chris and Mary Teague (both 42) from Canadamade a discovery after 26 yearstogether and four children that would change everything.

Mary and Chris met at the tender age of 17. Their love began like a romantic movie at a high school prom in 1999, where it was love at first sight.

They tied the knot in 2005 and had four children in the years that followed.

But nothing prepared them for the year 2023, when Mary suddenly realized that she actually liked women. According to Newsweek, the Canadian had been aware of her homosexuality since her youth, but she had repressed all feelings out of shame, as loving the same sex had a very different connotation at the time.

It was only after Mary had been in a relationship for two decades, in which she felt safe and completely accepted, that she was able to admit her true identity and come out.

"I was terrified of his reaction, but I knew that I could no longer keep this secret from my best friend in the whole world," she explains.

And her husband didn't judge her - on the contrary: a few months later, he confessed to Mary that he was also queer.

The truth would have destroyed many a relationship, but the Canadians simply divorced and continued to raise their children together. "In fact, our bond has become even stronger," says Mary happily.

Although the 42-year-old is now with a woman, the friendship between the former couple is unbroken.

The two made their story public on TikTok, reaching many users who have experienced or suspect similar things.

"We have no regrets," says Mary. "I don't feel that I've wasted any part of my life or that I've hindered Chris on his journey."

Coming out was more difficult for them in their family environment. Chris' relatives in particular, who are conservative Christians, were unable to accept his homosexuality and broke off contact.