The excellent reason this ‘divorce selfie’ is going viral

Typically, divorce seems like something a married couple decides to do after they have had countless nasty arguments and their relationship has turned from loving to downright nasty. However, while divorce isn’t necessary a pleasant thing, this couple is showing us just why it can be a cause for celebration.

The “divorce selfie,” which was shared on Facebook, shows Shannon and Chris Neuman of Calgary grinning widely, right after having filed for divorce. Shannon posted the following to her Facebook page last week:

Shannon and Chris, who were married for 11 years, acknowledge that, while it might be difficult, they came up with a parenting plan that they think will be the most beneficial for their kids in the long run. And that’s why they’re smiling.

“We weren’t celebrating with the pic, we were commemorating the accomplishment of a goal that we worked really hard to reach, together,” Shannon told the HuffPost after her post went crazy viral. “If we were celebrating, it was the completion of the process and coming out on the other side as friends.”

Apparently, Shannon and Chris aren’t the only ones taking celebratory selfies of their amicable de-union: Keith Hinson and Michelle Knight of Orlando, Fl. posted a picture of themselves smiling when their divorce was made official. Their reason? Firstly, to ease the transition for friends and family who might find interacting with the newly divorced pair strange or awkward. Secondly, to celebrate the love they had and the friendship that remains.

There are a whole host of other couples posting their own “divorce selfies” on Instagram, as Buzzfeed pointed out, in order to de-stigmatize their split and reclaim it as part of their shared experience. As one couple put it, “We smile not because it’s over, but because it happened.”

(Image via Facebook)