My girlfriend was on her way to visit me when she had an accident. It was almost a four-hour journey, but she made it twice a month without complaining. We had been dating for two years, and she had brought up marriage twice. I thought she was asking for too much. The first time, I told her, “We’ve only been together for a year; what’s the rush?”
The second time, I ignored her completely. She talked about security, stability, and the importance of knowing where our future was headed. I dismissed her concerns with a question: “What will marriage give you that you don’t already have now?”
I was masking my own insecurities about marriage with those responses. I had everything I needed to get married: I was of age, had a good job, a comfortable home, a car, peace of mind, and a beautiful girlfriend.
But I was scared. From my experiences and the stories I’d heard, marriage seemed like a gamble. It brought added responsibilities, changed the dynamics of relationships, and could lead to heartbreak. Marriage was often the reason for divorce, and I didn’t want any part of that, so I dragged my feet.
The accident wasn’t life-threatening, but it left her with cuts on her arms, above her eyebrows, and on her legs. She was close to my home when it happened. I rushed to get her and took her to the hospital. Watching her go through the hospital procedures without showing fear, anger, or regret moved me deeply. She was discharged that same day.
She went back home to recover, but a week later, she was on her way to see me again. When I told her to stay home and fully heal, she said, “I don’t want to be alone here all weekend. I’ll just think about the accident and get scared.”
I called her every minute during her journey to check how she was doing. For the first time, I picked her up from the station. On our way home, I thought to myself, “She goes through all this for my sake, and all I do in return is let fear hold me back from marrying her? What if…”
I didn’t want to find out what might happen if she met someone else along the way—someone who wouldn’t hesitate to commit. That night, I asked her, “When do you want us to get married?” She looked at me and asked, “Are you serious?”
I didn’t have to tell her I was serious; I showed her. Everything moved quickly. From that conversation to our wedding day was just five months. We’ve now been married for three years, and not once have I worried about the fears I had before.
How a Long-Distance Relationship Unveiled His Double Life
Marriage is not as scary as other people’s stories make us believe. You’re you and they are them. Life happens to us differently. Everyone’s experience is different. If you find the right person—the one who will journey through thick and thin to be with you, even after an accident—marriage may not be a bed of roses, but it will be worth every step of the way.
— Fred
This story you just read was sent to us by someone just like you. We know you have a story too. Email it to us at [email protected]. You can also drop your number and we will call you so you tell us your story.
******
