Our VERY modern Christmas! Divorced couple reunite for the big day – and both bring their new partners along (who found it ‘tough to get used to’)
- Barbara De La Fuente-Ford and Lee Simms married in 2005 but grew apart
- When they divorced in 2013 they vowed to remain a part of each other’s life
- They reunited at Christmas along with new partners Mike Ford and Miriam Fadda
When they divorced, they decided to keep Christmas special for the sake of their two children.
Now Barbara De La Fuente-Ford, 35, and Lee Simms, 40, not only spend the Christmas holidays together, they bring their new partners along to make one big, modern happy family.
They and their children Florencia, 12, and Sofia, nine, were joined for Christmas Eve, yesterday and today by Miss De La Fuente-Ford’s new husband Mike Ford, 37, and Mr Simms’ new partner Miriam Fadda, 39.
Celebration: New husband Mike Ford (left) with Barbara De La Fuente-Ford, and new partner Miriam Fadda with Lee Simms
Mr Simms and building contractor Mr Ford go running together and the couples babysit for each other. Mr Simms admits that he found his ex-wife’s relationship with Mr Ford difficult to cope with at first
Left to right: Lee Simms, 40, his partner Miriam, 39, Lee’s former partner Barbara De La Fuente-Ford, 35, daughters Sofia, 9, Florencia 12, and Barbara’s husband Mike Ford, 37, with his son Charlie, 11, and two year-old spaniel cross Alonso
Miss De La Fuente-Ford said: ‘For me it’s the most wonderful thing. We live our lives without anger and resentment. Life’s too short’
Also at the gathering, at a B&B in Brighton, were Mr Ford’s parents Mary and Tony, his son Charlie and Mr Simms’ parents Sandra and John.
Miss De Le Fuente-Ford, a Spanish teacher from Brighton, said: ‘We did it for us as well as the children. We’ve got used to it and it works for us. We are like one big family now. The friendship is genuine and we can see the long-term benefits.’
She and pharmacist Mr Simms married in 2005 but grew apart. When they divorced in 2013 they vowed to remain a part of each other’s life.
Miss De La Fuente-Ford, who is training as a separation life coach, said: ‘We wanted to focus on the good in us, not the bad. The relationship wasn’t working and we made a very grown-up decision. We still loved each other, just not in that way any more.’
Miss De Le Fuente-Ford, a Spanish teacher from Brighton, said: ‘We did it for us as well as the children. We’ve got used to it and it works for us. We are like one big family now’
Miss De Le Fuente-Ford and pharmacist Mr Simms married in 2005 but grew apart. When they divorced in 2013 they vowed to remain a part of each other’s life
They first held their unconventional Christmas get-together in 2016 and she admitted: ‘It has been tough for both Mike and Miriam to get used to’
They first held their unconventional Christmas get-together in 2016 and she admitted: ‘It has been tough for both Mike and Miriam to get used to.’
But since then the couples meet up weekly. Mr Simms and building contractor Mr Ford go running together and the couples babysit for each other. Mr Simms admits that he found his ex-wife’s relationship with Mr Ford difficult to cope with at first.
‘But he’s a good guy,’ he said. ‘We need to be close because we are the two main male figures in my daughters’ lives. We have a deep-rooted respect for each other. For me Christmas this year will be very special… sat around a Christmas table together.’
Miss De La Fuente-Ford said: ‘For me it’s the most wonderful thing. We live our lives without anger and resentment. Life’s too short.’