I married my husband. April 14, 2001 at 2pm in the Washington Park Gazebo, 8 years ago 10 years ago today. There are a lot of things that slip my mind over time but that day I will never forget.
It was spring, sunny, not a cloud in the sky, and the air was warm with a slight breeze that would give you a little chill if not standing directly in the sun. Little did I know that the 15 minutes before I was to walk down our make-shift isle debating on whether to run and standing in the sun would also give me a sunburn I would later regret that evening. It was probably my punishment for even thinking of running as fast as I could in the opposite direction of that gazebo. To be honest, the thought had crossed my mind even before that moment when my dad, who was standing with me said “we can still run if you want, I’ll go with you”…his exact words. I love my dad, always looking out for me. I swear that man can read my mind sometimes.
And don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t because I didn’t love Jon. It’s actually silly to think back on now, but I was considering running from the wedding because I was horrified at the thought of being the center of attention and everyone staring at me.
But I didn’t run, instead I laughed and said, “let’s go dad” and we made that long walk from the parking lot to the gazebo where he gave me away (or so he thought) and I said “I do”
I had just turned 18 and gasp, I was also 5 months pregnant with our son, Mattison. What can I say, we were young and “in love”. We met a year before but didn’t actually start dating until August of 2000, by November we were engaged, December pregnant, and April married. Everything was a whirlwind. Oh and that comment about my dad giving me away…they (my parents) never completely got rid of me. In fact, the day I moved out and in with my fiance I was back at their house within hours taking a nap and begging for his famous grilled cheese all because my brother in law and future husband didn’t put our water bed together right and it leaked all over our apartment. But that’s a whole other story.
Looking back, it’s been a crazy 8 years that has been much more terrifying than any roller coaster I’ve ever been on. Over the course of 8 years we’ve been through our fair share of marriage problems, a few years in serious need of marriage counseling, talks of divorce, trips to Jamaica and Florida, making 3 beautiful children, and moves from apartments to owning our first home. But here we are even with the odds stacked against us after being married so young and his career (high divorce rate), still together and still in love (most days). I’ve come to learn that the best way to save a marriage is work at it. Every single day. And here we are, 8 years later 10 years later, still working at it, still loving each other and still thankful that we choice each other.
Congrats on 8 years! What a beautiful photo!
It’s funny how similar our stories are. I was 18 too, and 4 months pregnant. Hubby and I started dating in August, engaged in November, but married in March.
Congratulation – I think the first tin years is the hardest!!!
Congrats on 8 years! Here’s to many more!
I met my husband the day his divorce was finalized and we were married 9 days later! Now we have been married for 10 years. Been through a ton, but I have 5 beautiful kiddos that I wouldn’t change anything if it meant I wouldn’t have them!
Well Happy Anniversary and congrats on 8 years! Thanks for sharing your story, mine is similar (15 years married now) Keep it up!!
Beautiful Photo ! Thanks for sharing. I got married 2 weeks after I turned 18 and we will be married 16 years this August !
Congrats on your anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary! Thanks for sharing & here’s to many more!
Happy anniversary! That photo is beautiful. We’ll be celebrating seven years in June – how time flies when you’re chasing kids, huh?
Congrats!
Happy Anniversary! XOXO
I love your honesty! Congrats. We just made it past 12 yrs!
Happy Anniversary!!!
I agree the first 10 are the hardest, after that you’ve got too much time invested in someone to even think about ever starting over lol. Oh, and at my wedding, my daddy gave an “it’s your last chance to run speech” too… but he gave it to my hubby instead of me!!!
Happy Anniversary!
YOU had blonde hair??? wow!!
Happy Anniversary to you both. HOPE you have a beautiful yummy dinner planned for Tonight. you have to make the Romance sometimes. With 3 young one’s running around here we find that most days we are at eachother nerves. (like today for instance) Atleast you can have one day to look back and remember how much in love you were and still have deep down inside. Hugs.
Happy Anniversary! May you have many more
)
Happy aniversary!!!
Marriage is very tough! Some days it sucks and others it’s great! So happy for you that you’ve made it 8 years and are still going strong! Oh and that picture??? You’re GORGEOUS!! 
What a nice picture Kat
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!!
Happy Anniversary!
Congratulations! Keep up the work!
Happy Anniversary! Gorgeous picture!!!
Congratulations on the 8 years. I have been married for almost 21 years and I too agree that the first 10 are the hardest. You have a lot to learn about each other and about becoming a family. I wish you luck in the future.
Congrats!!!
Congrats. What a beautiful photo!
I hope your life is blessed with many more years of happiness!
Happy Anniversary!
Congratulations, ten years is quite a milestone and I bet you can’t believe how much your life has changed in that time. Have fun enjoying the next ten years and many more decades of wedded bliss:)
Happy Anniversary.
what a beautiful post I do not remember reading it the first time after 8 years but so glad that you reposted it and congratulations after 10 years
Congrats y’all. It’s definitely hard work but it’s so nice to see marriages make it to that milestone. May you have many many more. muah!
Well, it’s good you made it…and what a beautiful photo!
Congratulations on celebrating 10 long years with your wonderful hubby!
It definitely sounds like it hasn’t been an easy journey, but from what you say, it sounds like you wouldn’t have it any other way
Happy anniversary!
Happy anniversary! What a beautiful photograph.
Wishing you many more years together full of love, happiness and prosperity.
Happy ANniversary Cat wishing you and hubby many more
You and your husband deserve a lot of credit for really working on keeping your marriage together. Congratulations on 10 years together … on your way to a lifetime!
Congrats! You are right – our parents never really get rid of us
Here’s to many more years!
Congratulations! I love hearing that you work on your marriage every day cause that’s what it takes! My first marriage was a disaster, but I’ve been married for 17 years now to the man of my dreams. After previous bad marriages we both agreed that we would work on ours every day and it’s kept us more in love than ever
My sister was married at 19, two days after her graduation. They will be celebrating 44 years in June, so it doable!