Last night, I leaned over the back of the couch to kiss my husband good night. I still like you, I whispered before kissing his cheek.
An odd thing to say, sure, but still the truth.
We met seventeen years ago in eighth grade P.E. class. Friends only, it surprised me most of all when I found myself falling hard for him just four years later at the start of our senior year.
But falling, for us, wasn’t fun or sweet or romantic. It was hard and real, it was shocking and terrifying. It was learning to accept love with conditions, and that reality for two seventeen year olds doesn’t usually work.
Except for us, it solidified everything. I stand by a claim I’ve made so often that it should be written on my tombstone. Having to make hard decisions together so early on paved the way to the kind of marriage I thought I’d only ever dream of.
We were forced to decide if being together was really what we wanted only a month into very casually dating. I won’t get into details, but we knew if we chose to stay together we’d face some difficulties for the rest of our lives. When you’re seventeen, it’s really easy to just walk away. Sure, your heart might hurt, but that’s the beauty of teenage love, you get over it.
But we couldn’t stomach the idea. I don’t know how we knew or why we knew, but somehow deciding that no, this is what we want no matter what was the easiest decision we’ve ever made. Neither one of us had ever known what forever was like, but we were sure.
I get asked a lot how we got from Senior Prom to Wedding Bells. But our situation was so very different, something we couldn’t manufacture. And really, our situation was designed to break us. Instead, it just made us two individuals who were strong enough to handle all the shit that life throws at us together. Our situation forced us to develop coping mechanisms. It afforded us the opportunity to strengthen our communication and voice our concerns, working things out together.
It’s funny to me now, actually. The whole thing was an epic nightmare, a story for another day. But in the end, it gave us both the most precious gift we could ever hope for–it taught us how to love unconditionally.
It takes a certain kind of strength
to make it from senior prom
to wedding bells.
Have the hard conversations early.
So when I leaned over the couch last night and told this man, whom I’ve been loving for thirteen years now that I still liked him, it was a pretty dang cool feeling.
Ok. Bringing the tears on for me this morning. <3
Great post lady!! Love those photos too!! You two are great example of what marriage is all about too!! 🙂
I love this!!! Kyle and i met almost 20 years ago in middle school and it amazing how things can turn out. 🙂
How adorable are you two?! I love that picture of you guys at your wedding, you both look glowing!
You guys are so cute- love that senior prom picture & what a great story of being together <3
Love this—and LOVE the photos!
xoxo
Kat
awwww <3
KC and I haven't been together as long, not to mention we were older when we got together, but we had to decide some serious things very early on as well, and it really does kind of speed things up or solidify them in a way that doesn't really happen in a normal, go through the paces kind of relationship. but anyway. can't believe you have known each other for 17 years!! jeepers. your wedding dress, holy moly. gorgeous, as are you!
ALL THE FEELS. I love when love lasts.
Well isn't this just the cutest thing ever? I am sure he is glad to know you still like him! Can we talk about how amazing you looked on your wedding day? So pretty!
OMG is that Jonathan?!? No beard.. what?!? Love the classic prom photo and I still find it amazing that y'all found love at such a young age.
xo, Kristina
Medicine & Manicures
Awww, so sweet! My hubby and I are celebrating 11 years of marriage on Saturday! Time flies by so fast. You are your hubby are just too cute, and so glad you were able to work through it at such a young age and be so happy now. Good for you two!
That is an amazing story! Early on in our marriage, my husband and I were faced with a lot of the "worse" part from those vows, but we actually grew even closer. It feels good to be able to come through difficulty and say, "We made it! And I still like you!" 🙂
I love your love story! That is the sweetest picture of you and him from Prom! xo, Champagne&Suburbs
You both looked absolutely amazing on your big day! Your wedding story is so interesting. I am pleased to read this post. I will tie the knot this year and have decided to have a country wedding at one of wedding venues Los Angeles. Hopefully, will find my venue soon.