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Limited Dating Pool Forces People to Date Exes, Marry Friends

7/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Personal accounts show limited dating pools and overlapping friendships cause people to date ex-partners or friends’ exes, often breaking friendships or forming long-term marriages.
A woman labeled “the red slag” for allegedly stealing a boyfriend later married him and raised grandchildren.
After a divorce, a contributor’s on/off relationship with a younger man led his friend to inform her ex-husband, renewing contact.

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Story summary

Personal accounts show limited dating pools and overlapping friendships cause people to date ex-partners or friends’ exes, often breaking friendships or forming long-term marriages.
A woman labeled “the red slag” for allegedly stealing a boyfriend later married him and raised grandchildren.
After a divorce, a contributor’s on/off relationship with a younger man led his friend to inform her ex-husband, renewing contact.