But, try telling that to John and I 15 years ago. We were on the way. When I say on the way, I mean driving in the car on the way to elope. We were headed to Virginia, a state for lovers, to tie a knot. In truth we were already a knot in my mind. Actually a mess of multiple knots that were a tangle after he "practically left me at the alter!"









On the real day we wed the following things happened.

1. I got pulled over by a police officer and explained where I was headed. "Sorry officer, I am eloping to get married. Was I really going 5 miles over the speed limit? What? "Congratulations" you say? Thanks for NOT giving me a ticket on our wedding day. You are the best!"


2. I called out of work. (Later I got reprimanded at work because I wasn't truly sick. Ummmmm ok, change it to a personal day. #whatever. But, truthfully I was love sick! You just think about that next time an elopement happens!)


3. Our car was hit around Washington D.C. and the offender just kept driving. (Could this day be anymore blissful?) Hit and Run???? FYI, This should not be on anyone's check list.


4. The lady, with big hair, that married us forgot to say you may kiss the bride. (But in reality I didn't need her permission to get kissed!)


5. Our parents already knew we were getting married. But, we called them to let them know it was official.


6. I went numb for awhile asking, "Did that really happen?" I don't really remember the ride home. Except a Song, something about "Big Hands," was playing on the radio. The song is catchy but awful in every way.


7. We had a very romantic dinner at Red Lobster. #classy I don't care serve me up some buttah with that lobstah. I have grandparents from the state of Maine.


8. We stayed at a Howard Johnson that night. At least, it was clean. There also was a keg party the next room over. Chug Chug Chug!!!!!!


9. Everyone thought we were getting married because I was pregnant.


10. We continually were convincing everyone I was NOT pregnant and that we, get this, actually loved each. That was why we got married.


11. John explained multiple times he loved me to me. Cause, I just wasn't sure.


12. Exactly 2 weeks from our wedding night..... I got pregnant.


13. 4 weeks later after convincing those that judged our choice and had to be convinced that I was NOT pregnant was told I was, indeed, pregnant! Yay! Surprise! Life is a trip!









We were sprinting. It was survival. Things were getting thrown at us left and right. From the beginning we knew life was hard. None of this was planned. We had a dream to be together. That dream died. Then it was resurrected and here we are 15 minutes, I mean years later. Life can fly when you are busy living it.

It was nonstop chaos in my life for at least two years after that. There was an emergency C-section, a baby in the NICU, multiple surgeries for that baby, and emergency eye surgery for me.

We eventually said our wedding vows 3 months later in a "somewhat" day that was supposed to be planned for April 13 earlier that year. It was a dramatic and exhausting. I felt awful that day but let no one see it. I was happy to be with John but things were flying at a rapid pace and morning sickness is not just in the morning. Morning sickness landed me in the hospital way more then once. I am ready for the romantic honeymoon to Paris but it will have to wait. #oneday

I want to explain something though. Eventually, we got the right pace. Then something would happen and our life would be thrown off again. That is what life as a married couple is. A series of events that your life has to navigate around, under, over, and mostly through to get where we need to go. Marriage is a "never ending destination" and a promise to travel together just the same.

I didn't marry John because I didn't think anyone else could love me. (I am a winner. We all know this!). I didn't marry him because I was pregnant. (Hopefully, by now you all can count between June and April!!!!! Go ahead and count, I WILL WAIT!)

June-April... 1,2,3,........

I didn't marry John because he was my life. I married him because I couldn't imagine my life without him.









Some people can't imagine why I would take someone that humiliated me back. I am NOT pathetic. I was a hopeless romantic that believed fully in us when he didn't. He was the one that made a mistake and it took guts to admit that.

Marriage isn't easy but it is an adventure. I wish I could say I wouldn't have it any other way but that is not truth. Every REAL couple has their troubles, drama, sickness, poor times, and tempting times to say "Forget You!" I just learned from the times that are crazy, when the crazy fades away, rest! Another adventure is around the corner. Rest up well! Marriage is a marathon and if you have to walk, then take a freakin walk! Enjoy the scenery, pick flowers, and if you get tired carry each other. That is what marriage is.