Love is a funny thing. Looking into my past and remembering those I “loved” and thought I would die when the relationship ended makes me chuckle. Oh how naive!! I was young when I married the first time. There’s nothing wrong with marrying young. I have lots of friends and family members that married young and are still going strong. My mom married right out of high school at the age of 18, my dad was 25.
When I married at 20 I thought I was in love. If it wasn’t for the drugs, who knows, maybe we would still be married. I just know for my own sanity I had to leave. After I divorced John, I built a wall around my heart, but I wasn’t a recluse. I dated, had fun, and enjoyed being single. At one time my best friend, Gerda, from high school and I lived in the same apartment complex across the courtyard from each other. I was divorced, she was finished with college, and we had a blast for a few years. I was divorced about 7 years when I met Doug.
We met in January of 1993 on a blind date. He worked with my Uncle Tommy. They had a bet on the super bowl and whoever lost would take the other one out to dinner. My uncle lost and I was invited to the dinner too. For whatever reason, Doug and I connected at once. Since Valentine’s day of that year I can count on one hand how many nights we have spent apart. He is truly the love of my life and my very best friend.
We’ve had our ups and downs. We both brought emotional baggage into the relationship. We worked our way through rough times and it has been well worth it. I can’t imagine my life without Doug. He’s opinionated, speaks his mind, and is just a little stubborn. But guess what?? I am opinionated, speak my mind, and I’m just a little stubborn. But we respect and value each other’s opinions. We rarely argue over anything of importance. Our arguments are mundane. Last night it was how the size of the television in the living room. We always laugh together after these arguments. It makes life fun.
Marriage may not be for everyone. Some people prefer a life on their own and there isn’t anything wrong with that. The sad part is we still live in a world where if the person you love is the same sex as you, you aren’t given that opportunity. I know its a hot button subject. But say what you want about marriage laws, religious laws, or whatever, I believe nothing should stand in the way of two people who are committed to each other and want to share a life together. Doug and I lived together for several years before we actually married. We weren’t planning on having children, there wasn’t any real reason to stand before the justice of peace and exchange wedding vows other than it was important to us. I think any two people who feel the same way, should have the same opportunity.
Looking back over my life with Doug, I find that love is everything that I was told it was years ago, by those more experienced than I. I look forward to growing old with him.
