My best friend and I share the same ex-husband. We call ourselves ex-wives-in-law.

The author (right) found a connection in an unlikely place: her ex-husband's new wife, who later became his ex as well.

Courtesy of Julie Peck.

People often assume that my best friend and I are sisters, but our connection is a little different.

She's the now ex-wife of my ex-husband, though we connected while they were still together.

She has become my person, the one I turn to in good times and bad.

When my best friend Shelley and I are out together, people often ask if we are sisters, even though we look nothing alike.

Shelley has dark hair, dark eyes, and very fair skin, and while I also have fair skin, I'm a blue-eyed blonde.

We get the question so frequently that it's almost comedic.

"No," we tell whoever is asking, "we're ex-wives-in-law." This always gets a laugh, and when we explain our story , it brings a moment of levity to whomever we've encountered.

Behind what we've made into a little joke for public consumption is a unique bond that a lot of people wouldn't understand.

It's a bond forged by trials, reinforced by implicit trust and devotion, and topped off with a whole lot of laughter and joy .

Our connection is unique "Our Husband," as we call him, was intent on Shelley and me getting to know each other before they married.

He and I have two sons, and Shelley has two sons from a previous marriage who are about the same age as my boys.

This meant that we had many of the same interests as boy moms by default, but, as it turned out, we also shared many of the same tastes in music, art, and books.