Married how many years exactly?

.

Funny story really. Larry and I met when I was sixteen, I fell in love instantly, it took him a little longer. I got pregnant at 17. I was happy, it took him a little longer. He told his parents and even though they still really didn't like me at the time, they allowed me to move in with them (Larry had moved back home).

My life was falling apart at home, my mom very much into her disease, my sister taken away living with my aunt and my brother -- I cant even remember what happened to his soul at that time.

So, I pack up what little I had and moved in. Janet, my mother in law and very religious, would not let Larry & I sleep in the same bed until we were married. OK, your house, I will respect that. Even though clearly, I was pregnant, still, not in the same bed.

So, Larry takes a day off. I call the courthouse to find out how much it is for a marriage license. 25.00. Done. We go to the courthouse, get the license. Go to the judge. Its another 25.00 which we did not have. Crap, oh the joys of starting out with nothing.

We go home and decide to tell everyone we did get married. We were young, we wanted to sleep in the same bed. It seemed to be OK, and no one really noticed because all this happened the same week as his sisters actual big wedding.

Larrys parents were selling their house and moving to Chicago for a job. Once the house sold we moved in to our very own little apartment. Ashley came into our lives a month after we moved in. I still drive by that apartment and say "that's where we started".

Time went on and about 9 months into the "marriage" we hit a road block. Im done, Im taking Ashley and leaving. Larry calls his mom. Tells her we are not really married. OH MY GAWD!!!! I couldn't believe he did that. Look he tells her, we are still together, doesn't that mean something? We don't "have" to stay, yet we do.

Every year on our anniversary she would gives us a card and a little gift. It killed her. She wanted us to bring it before God. So, 10 years later, on our "tenth" anniversary, we got married. It fell on Mothers day that year. Everyone was there, I still wasn't speaking to my dad at that time so my grandfather walked me down the isle. We finally got married after 10 years, our first house and two girls. They were our witnesses.

That was nine years ago.

So, May 12th is our 19/9 year anniversary. Next year we split the difference and call it even ;) I am so glad I actually married this man who I love so very much. "we lived through a lifetime and the aftermath" I am constantly amazed at how far we have come, he is my very best friend. If we ever did split up for good, I don't think I would miss him as a husband as much as I would miss my best friend. I love him, and am looking forward to 20/30 more years.