Best friends who live together after both getting a divorce say prospective men will need to share joint custody with the pals as they "come as a package".<br /><br />Marissa Baker, 31, and her best friend Patty Kulak, 28, moved in together after splitting from their partners in 2021.<br /><br />The pair say they are "platonic soulmates" and claim they're often mistaken for a couple with people constantly asking if they're in a relationship with each other because they get along so well.<br /><br />The singletons moved in together in Naples, Florida, US, in May 2021 and go on friendship dates, work out and do household chores together.<br /><br />Now Marissa and Patty are helping each other get back on the dating scene - and run everything past each other. <br /><br />Marissa claims they "are like wives" and both tell potential dates how they "come as a package".<br /><br />Patty, a local government planner, said: "Dating is so interesting.<br /><br />"First of all, they do assume that they are getting Marissa and I when they start dating one of us because we are always together. <br /><br />"Something that comes up really early on with whatever man we are speaking to is that this is not just a roommate situation.<br /><br />"She is not just my best friend. This is every decision I make involving a man that I am dating. I will be running by her first.<br /><br />"When there are men involved they like to know what this relationship is because they don't understand it.<br /><br />"Explaining that we are not just friends. There is a partnership here and listen, you are getting both of us but there is only benefits from one."<br /><br />The friends met on January 1, 2021 at Marissa's birthday party and when Patty separated in January 2021, she was supported by Marissa - who also separated from her husband in May 2021.<br /><br />In May 2021, the singletons decided to move in together in Naples, Florida, US.<br /><br />Marissa said her relationship with Patty gives them the "freedom to be ourselves".<br /><br />Marissa, a local government regional manager, said: "We didn't really have freedoms with our ex-husbands and that is not to say they are not good men but they had expectations of us and now we get to show up as we are.<br /><br />"It makes life so much easier. We have fun together, we laugh together, I can be weird. I am messy at times - there is nobody judging me or criticising me.<br /><br />"Long term, when we consider getting into relationships and navigating the dating field, it is very unconventional.<br /><br />"If Patty brings someone home, it is like 'hey we are a packaged deal' and visa versa.<br /><br />"If I am talking to anyone that brings up the future, I am like anything that has to do with Marissa is going to be unconventional.<br /><br />"You can live on the street but you are going to have joint custody of me with Patty. <br /><br />"At home with Patty is where I feel the happiest. This is where I wanna be.<br /><br />"Even those long-term relationships or moving plans we have each other in mind. It is not just the sort term everyday decisions but what are we doing in 10 years from now."<br /><br />The pair said what works so well is they are both into positivity and personal development.
