Five Charlotte couples featured on OWN show – WSOC TV

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Five Charlotte couples are featured on a new show on the Oprah Winfrey Network, with its premiere set for Saturday night.

Of the five families appearing on “To Have and to Hold: Charlotte,” the lives of Peter, Joshua and Juliana may be the most unique.

Joshua and Juliana were married and had two daughters before the couple separated. Joshua later became partners with Peter, who now shares in the role of raising the two girls.

“When I was going through my divorce and the challenges of having the father of my children be gay and all those worries and everything else, I wish I had someone to identify with that I could say, 'OK, I'm not alone,'” Juliana said.

It was an adjustment period, not only for the three of them, but for the two girls, as well.

“Recently, Angelina came home from school, and she said that one of her friend's parents said, 'You can't speak to Angelina anymore because she has gay dads,'” Joshua said. “And that was heartbreaking for all of us.”

As it all plays out on TV, the three say they want others to see their example – that the dynamic works because of compromise, patience and sacrifice.

“To me, our story tells people that you’re normal,” Peter said. “As long as you are keeping your children at the center of your attention and making sure they are well-balanced and happy, that's the most important thing that we can give to our kids.”

The show airs Saturday night at 10 on OWN.

Cox Media Group