Okay, I wasn’t quite a child bride. BUT I did get married before most of my friends at the relatively young age of…gasp…wait for it…22. I KNOW, right!? Who does that!?
I did it. And, what’s more, I’d do it again.
There is SO much wrong with this picture. But still...we're cute. AND young!
I never set out to get married young. In fact, it can be argued that I never set out to get married at all.
That, and I didn’t want children. See how well that turned out for me?
Anyway, tomorrow, the DH and I will be celebrating eleven years of marriage. ELEVEN.
I’m proud of this number. It doesn’t matter that I got married young, I found a guy that I loved, that treated me well, that most importantly ‘got me’ (I’m not always easy to ‘get’) and I grabbed him. And damn, I’m glad I did.
The last eleven years haven’t always been easy. At times they’ve down out right hard. And I know there will be more hard times to come. That’s okay because I also know there will be more really excellent times too. And I’ve never been the kind to be afraid of a little hard work. Bring it!
Eleven years and STILL having fun!
So, I think it’s a little bit strange that in my novels, all my main characters have serious marital issues. All of them. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever written about a happy marriage. There might be some secondary characters that have solid relationships, but…the main characters are all pretty messed up.
Maybe it makes better fiction? Maybe it could be argued I’m just secure in my own relationship? hmm…not sure.
But, this is a good time to remind everyone that what I write is FICTION. I’m not writing about myself, people. I swear.
Good thing DH knows that, and is secure in our marriage or oh man we’ll have issues when he starts reading more of my books.
I got married when I was 21 1/2, so I’m also a child bride. We met on my 21st birthday on a layover from Salt Lake to London where we were both headed for a summer semester abroad. He had terrible sideburns, but I fell in love with him anyway and we’ve been married for 16 1/2 years.
Aw, that’s a great love story. and WAY better than the way I met my hubby. Congrats on 16 1/2 years! and thanks for sharing.
Love your story! It’s very interesting, the contrast between your real life and what you write about. My story starts also with never wanting to get married and not wanting children. We did everything backwards. He got custody of his five kids, I moved in to help out, then we got married. So glad I did. Like you said- he gets me, and I’m not easy to get!
A guy who ‘gets’ you is priceless in my opinion, especially for us ‘hard-to-gets’ and yes, that’s a technical term.
And sometimes the backwards way is the best way! Congrats to you both!
I was 23 when we got married to my prince. And I agree with you on the he “gets me”. Actually, I’m not sure he gets me, but he at least appreciates that I am me. We’re total opposites in the way we think, the way we approach life, but we also have a lot of common ground in how we feel about families, each other. We’ll have been married 23 years this December.
How we got together is sorta a funny story. He was bffs with a guy I was friends with and who was dating one of my sorority sisters. We ended up in a class together in January and finally in March I told my friend that he was kinda cute. Those were my exact words. “He’s kinda cute.” She told his friend (the guy she was dating) that “We should go on a double date, she thinks he’s really cute.” His friend told him. “Dude, she wants you.” So naturally, he called.
And after a couple weeks, I knew he was the guy for me. We dated for almost three years, then were engaged for two before we got married.
Fun post!!
Jillian, that’s a great story! And so cute. I can just picture it. “Dude, she wants you.” Awesome.
Congrats on 23 years! That’s a HUGE milestone. Obviously, you guys are doing something right.
Thanks for the comment and sharing your story.
You beat my daughter by a few months (7/89). I liked him, but frankly I wondered if she could have done better. Twenty-two years later their marriage is going strong, and I’ve long since come to respect and admire my son-in-law.
David, I hope you didn’t t tell your son-in-law that you thought she could do better.
lol
So glad it’s turned out so well. Sometimes we know what we’re doing, despite what dad thinks .
Thinking about your wedding brings back lots of memories for me, given that I met my DH the same summer you guys got married. I wasn’t exactly looking to fall in love the summer before I started medical school across the country but life was making other plans. Here we are eleven years later and you guys are still an inspiration to us. Happy Anniversary to one of the best couples I know!
Aw, thanks Mel!
It’s funny that love seems to find us, hit us over the head and say, “here I am” right when we’re not looking for it.
Even if you weren’t looking, I’m glad it found you and my brother was smart enough to hang on to you! Congrats to you guys for 11 years together!
Happy Anniversary!
I met hubby at a wedding, of all places. We hit it off with a round of bantering and teasing right away. I was two years out of my divorce and about 10 months into my “year of not dating” when he came along. I resisted. He persisted. Within weeks we were inseparable and he showed me what true love and a dream relationship is all about. For the first time in my life, I understood that I (just as I am) am PERFECT. It’s about finding the right partner who compliments everything that you are and hubby does that in spades. 7 years (almost 2 years married) and going strong. Love has never felt better.
Natalie, that’s a GREAT story. I’m so happy for you that you found that guy who makes you understand that you’re perfect just the way you are. That’s HUGE.
Congrats to you both.
I’m getting so inspired by all these great love stories. It may be time for a happy relationship in my fiction…
Congratulations on your marriage. I also got married young, and just celebrated my 8th anniversary this year. I just got done writing about young marriages, its nice to see there are more of us.
Thanks for stopping by and congratulations to 8 years!
It’s funny, I think for awhile there was a lot of people waiting on marriage, and now it seems to be going the other way again. The way I figured it, if it’s right…why wait?! Glad I didn’t.
Happy anniversary! My hubs and I married when we were 19 and 20 respectively. This December will be our 19th anniversary. I’d do it again, too.
I write about love stories because I’m a romantic at heart. I’m always surprised when people balk at ‘love at first sight’ kinds of relationships, since it happened to me and several others I know. That’s why they say the difference between real life and fiction is that fiction has to make sense! LOL
Congrats to you and the hubs. May you have many more happy years together! *clinks glasses with you*
Cyndi
Wow, you really were a child bride!
Congrats on 19 years! That’s awesome. I also believe in love at first sight, it wasn’t quite that way with me. But close.
thanks for the comment and the toast *drinks to love*
Hubby and I met when he winked at me on the school bus my freshman year in high school. We started dating the next year, and with a few minor bumps, have been together ever since. Married at 19/20, getting ready to celebrate #33 in a few weeks.
I never wanted children either; we have two wonderful kids, all grown up, and thankfully they didn’t follow our example and marry so young because while it’s worked for us (practically growing up together), it’s not been easy.
Not that I’d trade my sweetie for anything/anyone – he’s loves me as I am and sees how much better I could be, all at the same time.
Cyndi,
That’s a great story. And 33 years?! That’s great! I love high school sweetheart stories! And it’s so nice to see that you’re still so in love.
thanks for sharing.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! And a toast to a lifetime more! ~clink~
Thanks, Patricia!
I’ll drink to that.
Happy Anniversary!
I loved reading your story and all the comments. It really does make a difference when you find someone who gets you, or as Jillian said, appreciates you for who you are. And when that happens, then it’s magic.
My husband and I celebrated 15 years in June, which is amazing because I spent the first several years waiting for him to realize I was a dud and divorce me. Now he’s stuck with me forever. Somehow, I don’t think he minds. He’s a keeper.
Have fun tomorrow!
It’s the ‘getting you’ part that’s crucial. And really, I’m not all that easy to ‘get’
Congratulations on 15 years! I’m pretty sure your hubby knows he has a keeper too.
Congrats to you both!
Before my 2nd marriage, I was attending The Centre for Positive Living & learning how to bring good things into my life. So……. I wrote on a piece of paper all the requirements in my next relationship, husband. Then I was to concentrate, wish, pray on these attributes. Well after the fourth date with him, I read the list & it was him! We were engaged after attending a wedding of a friend (her marriage only lasted 2 weeks) but we will celebrate our 25th anniversary next year. Now that is the older generation story. There are days when we all would like to add a couple more things to the list but having what we have is what is important and precious!
Thanks, Aunt Jan.
I LOVE that story. It’s funny how we can attract exactly what we need/want. Congrats to both of you.
Thanks for sharing.
You baby! I married at 21–34 years ago on Sunday! Yep, you’re just a baby. ; )
Totally a baby! And I love it.
Congrats on 34 years!!
Happy Celebrating, young lovers! I love that you’d do it all over again – what a gift you are to one another!
Thanks, Liz!
Of course I’d do it all over again…this time in the tropics…
I also got married really young–20. I had my first child at age 21. When I was younger, I swore I wouldn’t marry anyone until I was at least 30 and there would be NO children. Now, 13 years and 5 kids later, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Coincidentally, I wrote the story of how me met on my blog this week for a writing prompt from Write on Edge. Nothing about that first meeting indicated love, marriage, and kids.
http://momfog.com/2011/08/30/the-sweet-pickle-bus/
Thanks for popping in. It’s nice to see I’m not the only ‘child bride’. It’s funny how things turn out the way they should. Now I’m off to check out your ‘love story’
My wife had been single for about 18 years and I for 7 when we met through a dating service (pre-online days). We went together for three years before I finally got her to marry me by telling her I wasn’t going to marry a 50-year old woman. We celebrated our 18th anniversary in June, and we’ve never gone to sleep at night mad at each other.
Congrats on 18 years! And not going to bed mad…that’s a secret of success I’ve heard many times. Must work.
As you know we were high school sweethearts too but it took Dad 8 years to realize he better not let me get away and said so by saying “Are you going to come to Winnipeg with me?” then “Of course we could get married first”. The end of this month will be 40 years and yes we would do it all over again. We would like to congratulate you and Rob on eleven years of marriage and may you catch up to us! You couldn’t have chosen a more perfect mate….he’s a keeper! We are both proud of you publishing your first e-book and look forward to the future ones. I have no idea where you find time in the day to do all you do! I love to read your blogs,the comments and especially like seeing the pictures of our wonderful Grandkids!
Aw shucks, Mom. Thanks for your kind words.
And of course, congratulations on forty years with Dad! What a proposal, he’s such a romantic.
And thanks for commenting, you DO read my blog! hee hee
Congrats on your anniversary.
If I read romance, it tends to have a comedy or mystery element or some serious drama in it. So, that would be more like real life anyway.
I’m a fellow Campaigner in your group, by the way. It was nice hearing your story and I shall be seeing you around in the next few weeks. Glad I met you.
Thanks! And thanks for stopping by. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other in the next little bit!
I waited a long time to get married. Being difficult, I waited for just the right guy. He finally showed up and we’ve been together 11 years and married 8 (almost). I always thought I’d have ten kids – but never settled down long enough to really seriously consider the idea. My son came along when I was 39. Yep. Surprise!
My husband (an artist) wrote/drew/painted “our history” into a blank book and towards the end proposed. He cut a cavity into the pages to hold my engagement ring – a piece of jewelry he made for me. He left empty pages too for our future. He’s a keeper. I mean, he proposed in a BOOK…I wasn’t going to say anything other than yes!
My family has a history of lengthy unions. My parents met in college and have been married 48 years. My grandparents met, got married after six weeks and next year will celebrate their 70th anniversary. It’s difficult for me to write a story that doesn’t include some element of romance.
he proposed in a BOOK!? total keeper.
Congrats on finding him.
I do love romance, and I think I’m ready to try my hand at a true romantic story. (No bad marriages in this one) maybe a seasonal love story….
Everybody’s been so inspiring with their stories of love.
Happy Anniversary!!! Coming at you from my Zombie Duck post. Thanks for the twitter post! I’m on there too. @HancockVanessa. My story…. I actually have two lovely stories of the heart… my (ex) husband and I met on the mission field, but it was terribly romantic. My soul mate and I reconnected after 15 years…. and now he is marrying someone else. I have a gift for tragic love stories, but it sure keeps my pen inspired! Happy to meet you!
thanks, Vanessa.
Seriously, the zombie ducks…so funny. I have some friends who have serious bird phobias. Yet,…funny.
Ohh, tragic love stories…that’s sad. All my books have a messed up marriage. But really, I am going to try a happy love story. I am! It’s on the list.
Good to meet you too.
Hi Elena,
thanks for visiting my site. Sadly I have yet to meet my Mr. wonderful and the day is getting long if you know what I mean. All things considered I’ve got it pretty good though so I won’t insist you play a violin as you read this!
The key word there is ‘yet’. Love always finds us when it’s the last thing we want. (In my experience anyway.)
thanks for the comment. And no violin here.
Well, put me in the “was not going to marry and have kids until I met someone at the ridiculous age of 21 and got married five months later” category. Ten years and three kids later, and we’re happy-ish. I have to say that this particular stage of marriage that we’re in is HARD. We have a sense of humor and that’s why we’re making it. Also, he accepts my writing obsession. Really didn’t know what he was signing up for there.
The other day I was sitting in my car in the parking lot waiting for my husband while he picked up a gallon of milk…in the rearview mirror I watched an elderly couple–the husband helping his wife into her wheelchair. In that moment, I had an epiphany. Whether I knew it at 21 or not, the reason I married my husband is because when we’re old, he’ll do that for me. It’s the kind of guy that he is. The good kind.
p.s. When I write marriages in my stories, they’re always problematic…because that’s real and because you need conflict to make story.
Happy Anniversary xx
Hey, Any guy who accepts a writing obsession is totally worth keeping! And yes, when we see those couples in their golden years, it puts it into perspective.
I really was a child bride–17. Yep. Sadly, that marriage didn’t last. On the other hand, I have to beautiful daughters because of that marriage. I didn’t find the guy who got me until much later. Eleven (Twelve in November) I will be married to the man who tell me things I didn’t know about myself on a pretty regular basis. It isn’t easy being married to a writer, but he supports and encourages me. I’m very grateful he came into my life.
Happy Anniversary
Cheryel,
Wow, 17 is young. And yay for beautiful daughters and men that get us.
Hi, Elena,
Thanks for stopping by my blog and giving me some encouragement.
I met my husband on the job. Took us a while to get together, but we’re still a couple.
Wishing you continued happiness and maybe a dream-come-true for one of your characters.
Thanks for stopping by!
Wishing you much happiness as well. As for characters…we’ll see.
Happy Anniversary (belated)! I did not get married young. It was a month before I turned 30. We just had our 10 year and still going strong. Hope your marriage continues strong and bright and full of laughter and love.
Thank you, thank you, Trish!
Happiness and smiles for your next ten years as well!
Happy Anniversary!
I met my husband on a sales call. Nine years later we became good friends. Then, it took another year before we started dating. Been married for eight years and I’m glad I waited! He’s funny and intelligent. We never run out of things to talk about, and he doesn’t mind eating takeout when I’m too busy writing to make dinner.
Best wishes!
Hi Jennifer,
Super important to being good friends. And congrats on your eight years!
Hi Elena, I’m visiting from the Campaign. First, happy anniversary! Good for you to be enjoying your marriage. I’ve got no specific love story (rather, several vignettes), but I think it’s fascinating that your novels’ main characters are in messy marriages. Part of exploring the unknown, I suppose.
Hi Katie,
I love the messy marriages. Way more fun I think than the happy ever afters. Although…I may write one…we’ll see.
Hi Elena, it’s a pleasure to meet you and congratulations on your anniversary! Saying hello from your chick lit group;)
Hi Christy!
Thanks for stopping by. Looking forward to checking out your stuff.
Very cool post! I married the first time at 22, though for me that was a huge mistake. I finally met the great love of my life at 46, and at 52 we are still feeling like newlyweds. Like you, though, I have characters with challenged relationships, and I find that curious since my own challenges are way in the past.
I’m a fellow Campaigner and wanted to say hello and good luck with the Campaign! I read your “About” page, and wow, you are one busy lady!
Hi Nadine,
I love that you’re still like newlyweds! That’s brilliant.
Good luck with the campaign as well and thanks for stopping by.
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Happy anniversary! I married in my early twenties too. We just celebrated our 23rd anniversary so I guess we’re sticking.
Lovely post, Elena.
Thanks, Bridgette!
Congrats on 20 years!!
Happy Anniversary elena. and thanks for stopping by my blog too. I was only twenty when I got married, so I know all about it!
Ah…another child bride.
We’re good that way.
Congrats to you.