A mum-of-three has revealed how she and her husband are the “happiest” they’ve been since inviting another woman into their marriage.
Andrea Brown, 46, had been married to Adrian Brown, 34, for 10 years when they decided to invite Julie Vigil, 38, into their marriage.
Now, the throuple, from Colorado, US, share a king-sized bed, and Julie has become Andrea and Adrian's wife after recently exchanging vows.
While some may find their marriage unconventional, Andrea insists the polyamorous group are the happiest they've ever been.
Andrea, a paralegal, says: "Adrian and I were happy together, but Julie has completed us.
"I feel so grateful and lucky to have not one, but two amazing partners who love me. We don't care what society thinks, we are head over heads in love with each other."
Growing up, Andrea was always attracted to both men and women.
"When I was 19, I got married to my first husband and we went on to have three wonderful kids,” she said.
"We had an open marriage and regularly had passionate nights with different women. But, over time, I realised I wanted more than just sex. I craved an intimate connection with another woman."
In 2007, after 13 years together, Andrea's marriage ended. After that, she decided she only wanted to date women.
But the following year, in 2008, Andrea met tattoo artist - Adrian - online.
Andrea said: "Adrian and I both loved tattoos and music. We were so similar.
"Although I'd been determined to find a woman, Adrian and I went on a date and we had an amazing connection.
"So, I decided I needed to be honest with him from the very start.
"I told Adrian I liked women and how I'd had open relationships in the past.
"Although Adrian had only been monogamous before, he said he was happy to try something new."
Andrea and Adrian became a couple straight away.
They immediately started meeting women in bars and online, and if they liked them, they'd invite them to share their bed.
A year later, Adrian proposed to Andrea.
"Rather than becoming monogamous, his proposal actually made me realise I still ached for a deeper connection with a woman. Not just sex,” she said.
"So, Adrian and I agreed to find someone to join us after we married."
In January 2010, the couple married and after that, they began looking for a third partner to join their marriage. Two years later, in 2012, they met Julie, a nail technician, on a dating website.
Andrea said: "My bio said I was married but in an open relationship. Julie, who was monogamous, was very curious and asked me lots of questions. She was beautiful and kind.
"We chatted non-stop online until one night when I invited her over for dinner to meet Adrian and I.
"Adrian was as smitten as I was. But sadly, Julie wasn't ready to commit and wanted to be friends."
For the next eight years, Andrea, Adrian and Julie stayed friends, regularly meeting for dinner and drinks.
Andrea said: "Julie and I became best mates and we went shopping and got our nails done together. Meanwhile, Adrian and I dated other women, and Julie had relationships as well.
"But, deep down, I longed to be with her. So did Adrian."
In 2018, Julie welcomed a son and it wasn't until two years later, after dealing with a loss in her family, that she grew closer to the married couple.
Andrea said: "Julie was grieving her dad and we were there to support her every step of the way. We grew closer and it also made her realise how short life really was.
"Then one night, she confessed she wanted to be with us.
"Adrian and I were beaming, and we asked her to be our girlfriend straight away. That night, one thing led to another and the three of us slept together. It felt so natural and perfect."
From that day on, Andrea, Adrian and Julie became a polyamorous triad.
Soon, they fell into a routine.
Andrea said: "Two of us would make dinner, while the other one did the dishes. At night, we'd head to our king-sized bed. As Julie and Adrian couldn't handle the heat, I always slept in the middle.
"Julie felt like the missing piece to our puzzle."
Six months later, in October 2020, Andrea and Adrian proposed to Julie.
As having more than one wife was illegal in Colorado, where they lived, they decided to have a wedding that wasn't legally binding. In September 2021, the throuple married at a park in front of their family and friends.
Andrea said: "The wedding didn't need to be official. It was the commitment that we were making that mattered.
"On the day, Adrian and Julie both looked amazing. As we all said our vows to each other it was the best moment of my life. Sadly, my mum chose not to be there which hurt. But we still had 200 guests and the day was filled with love.
"Now, Adrian, Julie and I have moved to a new house to fit us all. Adrian and I share a room, and Julie has her own bedroom, but we all sleep together when it pleases us.
"My children have grown up, but Julie's youngest sons live with us, and we're one big happy family."
