Young love can last! — 15 year Anniversary

15 Years ago I married my Prince. I was 18 and young, and in love. We did it without many people knowing as so many just didn’t understand and so many didn’t think we would make it. Who gets married at 18 after all! We are told by society that young love doesn’t last. We are told to be selfish and have our wild days. We are told to go to college and get a great job before even thinking about settling down. We are told marriage limits us. I am not sure why, but I never believed that marriage limits us.

I had found my match, a man that was my best friend and then so much more. Why would I not want to commit to spending my life with him and walking hand in hand through this life together? We enter this life alone they say, and we leave life alone as well. Why spend any more of that in between time being alone?

For a girl that wanted to spend her life with her beloved she sure picked a guy with the wrong job for it! My husband has been in the military since the day we got married. Just 5 more and he can retire and stop the crazy deployments and training and being away. For the first few years of our marriage it was like he was away more than he was home. We have been very lucky these last few years I admit. The idea of him deploying again is near more than I can handle. But of course I would handle it. I would do anything for him, and that includes waiting for him.

It has been 15 years of adventures together and I hope for so many more. I think the only thing that will part us is death. While almost all of our military friends from years ago are divorced now I think we have learned from them. Be honest, help each other meet our needs, and never ever give up on one another. I used to think that we stayed in the “honeymoon” phase as my mother said because we had so much time apart, now though as we have had years together I think it has to be something else. We are very lucky and I know it, but isn’t just luck.

Marriage is like a tree, it needs certain things to grow. My husband and I work to give our marriage what it needs. The first few  years a tiny tree is easy to break, but also easy to bend! Over the years it gets bigger and bigger and stronger. Branches reach into your soul an bring forth things you didn’t know where even there. So now our marriage is a strong tree, even in the storms, we manage to sway in the wind, and survive without breaking. If that makes any sense.

As our oldest daughter soon turns 14 I am reminded that I have to take her love interests seriously. Granted she has not had her official first kiss yet, but the day will come. When she gets married is up to her but I will not tell her that young love doesn’t last. I will show her the statistics and let her know what she is up against as I think being informed is important. Her heart is her own though and my job is to educate her and support her.

I think in the end I live a rather instinctual life. Found a mate, got married, live stronger together than apart, and have children, a whole litter of them actually. These things bring me great joy. While my husband and I are geeks and love our tech toys and find joy in geek things, our deep joy comes from meeting those primal needs that being married and having children give us.  We will protect our family with all our being.

I hope we have at least 50 more years together. A girl can dream!