Exes Janelle and Kody Brown 'Periodically Check on Each Other' Following the Death of Their Son Garrison (Exclusive)

Garrison died by suicide at age 25 on March 5

Loss has brought Janelle Brown and her ex-husband Kody Brown closer together.

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, the Sister Wives star, 55, opens up about how her and Kody's son Garrison's heartbreaking death by suicide at age 25 in March has brought their family closer together. While reflecting on how tragedies can unite loved ones, Janelle shares that losing Garrison has renewed some of the complicated relationships within her former plural marriage.

"Especially with the children, Christine's children, Meri's child, my children, have really reinforced relationships and maybe renewed some that were struggling," she explains. "They've drawn closer and that's been a really wonderful thing to see because once you get to be adults you drift away."

Related: Sister Wives' Janelle Brown 'Had No Idea' Garrison Was Struggling Before His Death: 'Never Expected This' (Exclusive)

Despite their "busy lives," Janelle says that their children have made "real efforts to connect" and to be "present" with each other. While the other "adults" within their unconventional families live their "separate lives," the TLC star reveals that she and Kody remain in touch during their respective grieving processes.

"Kody and I will periodically check on each other, and he's kind of grieving in his own way, but I live a very separate life from him, and I do wish everybody well," she shares. "I think that maybe it puts perspective, maybe it does, maybe you're not quite so angry or so whatever."

Kody and his wives Meri, Christine, Janelle and Robyn Brown lived in harmony in their plural marriage for years and documented the ups and downs of their lives in TLC's Sister Wives. Within a span of 14 months, three of Kody's marriages imploded after Christine announced that the couple had split after more than 25 years of marriage in November 2021.

Related: Sister Wives' Janelle Brown on Son Garrison's Heartbreaking Death: 'Substance Abuse Played a Role' (Exclusive)

A year later in December 2022, it was revealed that he had separated from Janelle. A month after that, the dissolution of his union with Meri was confirmed in January after the pair's relationship had been platonic and distant for years.

Despite this, Janelle tells PEOPLE that she hopes to be "involved" with all of their children "until forever and ever and ever."

"I love the kids. I love hanging out with them," she continues. "And Christine and I remain close. Obviously we have very different lives, we're kind of going in different directions but we still remain very close."

In terms of her relationships with her other former sister wives, Janelle says that fans will see how she and Meri will be given the opportunity to "come together" in the upcoming season of the TLC show.

"I just really hope, I really do wish all the good things for Kody, Robyn and Meri," she adds.

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Season 19 of Sister Wives premieres Sunday, Sept. 15 at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.

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