My Bride and I began dating in February of 1982. (One of the dates involved playing a game on the Spanish Civil War.) I asked her to marry me in May of 1982, and we were wed on December 18, 1982. We have cautioned our kids that such rapidity is not to be looked upon as a model, but sometimes, if you are quite fortunate, you find someone you know will stick with you through all the vicissitudes of life.
The struggle makes you closer. In fact, by the time you have had the kids and been through everything life has thrown at you, your marriage is pretty much rock solid. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
We waited. Finished college. Started careers. As we were exhorted to do (or browbeaten to do) by our elders. Got married five years after graduation.
By our wedding day, we had both been let go from our jobs and were looking for work.
If it’s right, don’t wait. If it’s not right, all the prep in the world is to no avail. I sometimes wonder what we could have built together in those five years.
My wife and I met in a college football ticket line waiting for tickets for dates with different people. To say that I was smitten is an understatement. She said it was the same with her. It was as close to love at first sight for us as it can get (our deacon says that it is more lust at first sight, but..). We didn’t get married right away mostly because we were too poor to get married-she wanted a reception and we were paying for much of it. Even after 22 months, our honeymoon was driving from Houston to San Antonio in a Vega (yes, it broke down). It took us years, but we eventually dug out. Both she and I agreed that working together to build a life helped. We were dependent upon God. My wife, the Texan, was a John Wayne fan and we both agreed that Mc Lintock said it best: ” All the gold in the United states treasury and all the harp music in heaven can’t equal what happens between a man and a woman with all that growing together..”
I’d put a link but I don’t know how to do that…Just google McLintock / Becky.
My wife and I both said we wouldn’t trade those days for anything even though want is well in the rear view mirror.
Don,
That is an outstanding love story!
Lead Kindly Light,
McClintock is one of my all time favorite Westerns! I am a Gen-Xer, but I discovered McClintock 10 years ago and I watch it at least once-a-year!
Everyone else,
I asked out my wife in December, but we knew of each other for four years on-and-off as only acquaintances. My mind was preoccupied in trying to rebound from a financial mistake.
I had three friends in a span of three weeks in November (before the December I mentioned) tell me that waiting to get my life in order is not important when it comes to finding a spouse. So I opened my eyes and saw my love at a Bible Study Christmas reception and asked her out.
After less than six months I proposed to her during Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
There was an open date in October and so me moved up our wedding from June (the following year) to October (the current year at that time). So four months after proposing, and 10 months after asking her out, we were married!
Best decision I ever made in my entire life!
This reminds me of St. Alphonsus’ adage that “between the espousals and the marriage, there is only sin.” In other words, he was in favor of a short engagement. Different time and place (not to mention audience), but there’s a lot of wisdom to his words.
Congratulations, by the way, on a long and very happy marriage!
[…] and Analysis:True Love Rarely Waits for Fat Bank Accounts – Don. R. McClarey, J.D., at The American CatholicVatican Gripped by Gay & Left Wing […]
Congratulations, by the way, on a long and very happy marriage!
Thanks Fr.J. God has been kind to me far beyond any merits I possess.
Forever Bride & Groom
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8dFIt6ObjC/
Forever young.
This is, by far, one of the most beautiful ways to propose. Way to go sir…
*After less than six months I proposed to her during Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament.* TE
“After less than six months I proposed to her during Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament.”
Seems like it would be hard to go wrong finding your future wife there…
[…] and Analysis:True Love Rarely Waits for Fat Bank Accounts – Don. R. McClarey, J.D., at The American CatholicSanta Lucía: the Bearer of Light & a […]