Fast forward from July to September and that “just one lunch” had turned into an engagement. We were 28 and 29. We had never been married before. We had no kids. By our second date there was no hesitation. We knew we found “it,” and I had no problem saying yes when he proposed. Even if I do wish I had on something cuter than an oversized pajama t-shirt when he did it.
Considering the speed at which our relationship was moving, I don’t think it should have been such a surprise when we called our families the day after Christmas that year and said we were married. The reactions were mixed to say the least. My father wanted to do the break down of logic behind the rushing into marriage thing. My mother cried. His family screamed with excitement. And my sister, well, the conversation with her is something I’ll never forget….
“Are you pregnant?”
“No, we got married!”
“That’s worse!”
Got to love your siblings right? I will say it’s not because she didn’t like the idea, she was just surprised that I ran full speed ahead into what we all knew was going to be a complicated marriage thanks to dual military. And ok, I didn’t know the guy six months so that was scary for everyone!
Now almost two years later I have people ask if we are going to do a “real” wedding. Every time I get that question I say we already did. Sure, there was no white dress or big cake or bouquet toss. But I got to get married in a hot pink dress (my favorite color) at sunset in beautiful Tybee Island with no shoes on. I had a romantic dinner with decadent dessert. And at the end of the day…I was married to the love of my life.
Turns out you don’t need the table cloth veil and perfect Barbie and Ken planned wedding to be happy. You just need the right person holding your hand and saying “I Do.”
