TLDR; How to handle a situation where I am in a relationship where I am the other woman and want my friends approval.

So I have read many different posts on here about cheating and being the other woman in a situation. I have some basic conclusions on the issue but I just want to know if the overall situation is really what I see it as, or if I am blinded. So I met this guy on a dating website and his profile said he was looking for just friends. So we made plans after talking for about a week. We went to a museum near his jobsite (he does travel for work). When we first met, I did feel instantly connected to him, almost like I had known him my entire life. I was instantly comfortable around him even though he was shy and relatively reserved. We spent the entire day together and I did end up sleeping with him that day (all opinions on that aren't necessary, as this isn't the main area I need advice on). I did some digging after hanging out with him one or two more times. Even though it did not explicitly state on his personal profiles on social media that he was in a relationship, it did seem a bit suspicious (cover photo was them, but I assumed maybe it was old and he didn't use socials since nothing on the account had been updated for the past 4ish years). So I did choose to ignore this potential discovery and continued seeing him and spending time with him over 1-2 months. While he was travelling for work, we talked on the phone when he was done at work for the day and we had very consistent conversations. The connection between us felt surreal and it was something I had not experienced before. After spending so much time and energy on him, I finally decided to ask him if he was actually single. We had been completely honest with one another up until this point, so I asked that he continue that trend. He did tell me he was not single but that he was unhappy. I decided I wanted the connection with him and told him that either way he went, I still wanted to interact with him (yes, questionable choice on my part, I know). He was fine with that but he had already stated he did not want to be with her anymore he just had a hard time ending it to begin with (before he met me) because he felt stuck (shared an apartment together, had dogs, he took care of everything ect). He knew he never really felt a deep connection with her but didn't know how to break it off. Throughout trying to end it, she did try manipulating him to get him to stay after he directly told her that he did not love her and never saw himself marrying her (big topic between the two of them). He made a phone call to me while she was there because she was making him tell me that he and I needed to be done and that he saw no way for us to be together (note he does not live in the same state as me). He had followed that for maybe 12 hours, but the next day interacted with me again (texting/talking on the phone). He was genuinely trying to get the relationship to end, she was just in denial and couldn't let go. He finally got her parents and friends involved and convinced her to be done with him and he got her off of their lease (without penalty to her) and helped move her back to her home town (in a different state than himself and myself). This is the base line of everything and if I need to clarify, I can.

I will also note that I have been in the same situation just slightly different (I had slept with someone else while being in a relation in an effort to encourage the ending of the relationship because I did not know how to get out of it because we lived together). My ex did not find out, but I have told the new guy and that was sort of my 'I understand how you feel' situation.

My friends heavily dislike him (for obvious reasons). But he has done so much imo that prove that the feelings between us actually exist. He has already started making the preparations to move to the state I live, we have already spoken about children and marriage (he has already bought a ring, he just hasn't proposed yet), and I can see the continued effort on his part to show his commitment to me. Based on how well we do read each other, I do think this is a relationship that could work. The connection we do have is unreal and unlike anything I have seen or experienced. So what are some thoughts on this situation? I want my friends to try and understand, but as it currently stands, they are very against it. I can explain more about the connection between us if need be, there was just so much to type and include.

TYIA, please know I know this is a very precarious situation which is why I am here.