Polyamory is a practice of having multiple loving relationships at the same time. It is sometimes referred to as non-monogamy, or ethical non-monogamy. All relationships are consensual and each knows about the other. There are no secrets between any of the lovers.

Some polyamorous people will have relationships with separate individuals who do not have relationships with each other. Others might have relationships that cross and have multiple connection points. No matter how the relationships are connected, these are commonly referred to as polycules. Any parties who are not involved with one another, but share common partners with one another, are often called metamours.

Each polycule is different, some form a ‘V’ where one person is involved with two parties who do not have a connection between them (they would be metamours). Some form a Triad where three parties share a connection with all others. Some form a Quad where 4 parties are involved and in that environment it is possible for all parties to interact, but sometimes they do not.

My first poly relationship began as a ‘V’ and became a Triad, before returning to the V, then a Dyad, a one on one, with my husband. This established my first Dyad while living as an out Polyamorous man since I first began dating my husband formally.

Examples of Polycules: The Dyad formation in the top left is familiar to most monogamous persons, but a polyamorous person may find themselves living at times, even for long periods, with only one other partner. Both may be Polyamorous, but simply do not have any evolved relationships outside of one another for any number of reasons. Each blue point represents a person, and each line represents a relationship. Those blue points not connected by a line are not in a relationship with each other, these would be called metamours.

As you can see from the diagram, Poly relationships can evolve into any number of polycule forms, and these are only a few examples of the relationship dynamics that can develop. Add more people, the polycule grows. The key to all of it is love and communication without exceptions.

Recently things have been evolving a bit, as they are prone to do, and while my husband and I share a closer orbit in my poly solar system, I have expanded my polycule to reflect developing relationships. I wouldn’t call any of my other relationships boyfriends at this time, we are still learning about one another more and that is okay, that doesn’t invalidate the polycule.

My polycule exists with me acting as the primary hinge point. My husband and I share one relationship with a dear friend who has become a very relevant part of our poly solar system and I have grown relationships with others over time that have prompted me to include them. (This graphic is redacted to protect the privacy of our partners.)

As you can see from the figure here, I am a central hinge to most of the polycule. The distance from me indicates how close the relationship is, as a secondary indicator, solid lines indicate established and mutually agreed upon long term connections, while dotted lines are developing relationships. The more space between the dots, the less established the connection at this point.

My partnerships are evolving and so it’s hard to keep up with the changes. I have my husband and our mutual, a comet or P&RP (Pause & Resume Partners) as the most stable dynamic at this point. But I do have a couple of relationships that are largely comets.

This isn’t meant to be an in depth look at Polyamory or Polycules, it is just to serve as an introduction to a part of my life and who I am. It isn’t the biggest part of me, nor is it the most minor part. It is just a part that may help you to understand me better.

I am at a place in my life right now where I am extremely happy in polycule. My love for my husband is beyond anything I have had for another person ever before. We communicate in a way that is so organic, and yet deliberate. We tell each other everything, we talk about our feelings. We check in with each other regularly.

I have some friendships that have transcended the common and entered into the romantic partnership realm, they might be best described at present as Comets or P&RP, but things do change and evolve over time. When I get to see any of my partners outside of my marriage, we can be as loving with one another as my husband and I, but we may not always have the luxury of seeing one another, and sometimes we can go long periods between talking or texting. Ultimately, we know how we feel for each other and it’s beautiful. It’s love, and love is the most precious thing on earth.

If you are interested in learning more about Polyamory and ethically non-monogamous relationships, there are many sites and books about the topic that can help you to understand more. One recommended site that I was pointed to is Poly.Land it’s a blog that talks about many different lifestyles, but has a rather extensive category of Poly 101 content. Just understand that polyamory is in no way a free pass to cheat, lie, or have sex with just anyone you want without consequences. Polyamory is work, it is communicating, and most especially, it is listening. Think that is hard with one person, now try adding more. If you aren’t ready for that, you aren’t ready for polyamory.