I had a wonderful platonic relationship with a man. I look very much like his sister (tall, athletic, blonde) and he prefers the petite exotic type, so he wasn’t attracted to me physically. I considered him my best friend, while I dated other people.
Then about two years ago he married a Hispanic woman 15 years younger than he and I are. She immediately forbade him to have any contact with me or to talk to my children. My kids were heartbroken. Selfish, stupid woman. She had nothing to be jealous of, and she hurt two innocent children. I forgive hurts to myself easily, but I do not readily forgive those who hurt my children.
I think it’s generally true that people of the opposite sex can’t have platonic friendships unless everyone is very happily married and of strong moral standards.
That whole story is sad, and I’m sorry that you and your kids lost a friend. I’m also a little surprised that she would make that kind of move. If she wasn’t happy with his relationship with your family, I don’t see why she married him.