Ball&Chain-Fi (Appreciation!)

[GlendaleViper]

A few particularly depressing relationship-related threads going around lately, be it the unearthed divorce thread or the "Scared of Marriage" thread with a decidedly negative and cynical outlook. Figured I'd set up a thread for those of us in a happy and loving relationship to spill our collective guts.

I'm still with my highschool sweetheart after almost nine and a half years, so first and foremost, I should thank her for her patience dealing with an underweight ring finger. There is no one I'd rather spend my time, share my feelings and philosophies, or romp around in the grass with. No one with whom I'd rather cook, even though she does a better job. No one I'd rather share new music with, even if she doesn't care about the equipment that plays it.

We met by making terrible music together (highschool band). Now, the music is decidedly sweeter. I love you Ali.

Oh, and the smokin' hot body is a nice perk.

 

[Jahn]

those of you who've met the wife in person know that her mere presence can straighten a fellow out, even one with baaad GAS. my wallet particularly praises such an aura. but when the WAF is high, there is no greater joy! so yeah, no down side really, and plenty of upside! don't be scared folks, "it's a good thing!"

and i agree, no more graveyard bumping old divorce threads please - that's a gauche trend.

 

[trains are bad]

I hope this isn't too hijacky, but, for the married men, how did you know it was time to get married? When did you first start considering it? How long did it take?

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trains are bad /img/forum/go_quote.gif I hope this isn't too hijacky, but, for the married men, how did you know it was time to get married? When did you first start considering it? How long did it take?

Hmm, met in college, dated for 6 years, got engaged for 2 years, finally got married around 8.5 years after we met. "When you know you know" but as to the logistics? I felt that I wanted to be firm financially before making the dive - either that, or have her set up so I could be a Mr. Mom (too bad that didn't pan out...yet!) But for us, probably 4 years in we were both certain, 6 years in I was stable enough to say "ok lets do our own family thing" and proposed (it was a bit more romantic than that) and 8 years in, there you go and I had a somewhat steady paycheck.

Our 7th anniversary is coming up (HOLY has it been that long? i had to check the date on my ring to confirm!) and things are still jolly!

which of course probably won't help you in your own path. my pal met a gal and got married in a month and he's still going strong 8 years later, go figure.

 

[lmilhan]

Five years and going strong, and in all honesty, I think the best is still yet to come. That 5 years went so damn fast. Best decision I ever made.

Met her, we fell in love and got married within 1 year. We decided to forgo the big 'traditional wedding' and ran away to a tropical beach, hired 1 professional photographer (who also served as a witness), and 1 lady who married us. We exchanged our vowes on the beach at sunset. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. I know that sounds cliche, but it is the truth.

She is quite a few years my Jr. and she has promised me that she will change my diapers and clean my dentures for me when I am an old geezer. I can't ask for much more than that. If that 'aint' love, I don't know what is...

God bless her.

 

[scompton]

We were friends for about 2 years before we started dating. By the time we started dating, we were best friends. After a year of dating, we were engaged and living together. Our 15th anniversary is in September.

 

[Orcin]

My wife and I started dating around the time of our high school senior prom. We dated through college and got married when we graduated. In August, we will have been married for 34 years. I couldn't imagine life without her.

I will share with you the secret to a long, happy relationship: I don't try to run her life and I don't try to run mine.

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orcin /img/forum/go_quote.gif I will share with you the secret to a long, happy relationship: I don't try to run her life and I don't try to run mine.

Niiiice. I'm still trying to learn the ways of the path of least resistance, but it's still hard going when entering the Ego underpass

 

[KYTGuy]

Met "The One" on Feb 15 (I'll never let her live it down - we could have met on the 14th, but she was "Unsure"), Proposed in July, after she just couldn't leave to go back to her job on very early Monday morning after a wonderful weekend, and married in October, all of the same year.

This October will be our 25th. She was never the most like a model, but she does it for me! Perfect partner.

 

[kramer5150]

Happy ball&chain here

 

[Shizelbs]

Met at a wedding about 7 years ago. Married after 5 years of dating. I wanted to finish school before getting married. We actually broke up after 4 years of dating, due to cold feet and time to crap or get off the pot. I got off the pot. Dumbest thing I've ever done, but that way I knew what it was like to be without her. We got back together about a month later. Married the next Summer. Marrying her was the smartest thing I've ever done.

 

[3x331m]

I've heard a quote sometimes when I was a teenager: "... Behind a successful man, there's a supportive woman...". This line is still influencing my mentality toward marriage.

 

[F107plus5]

We'll be celebrating our fortieth anniversary this fall.

Guess it must have taken.

We have seven kids ages 6 through 37.

 

[Happy Camper]

Companionship with a trustworthy person really helps even things out in the roller coaster world of life. Not that you don't have problems. You learn how the other will respond and negotiate compromise. If you hurt your spouse once, you don't ever want to do it again. We have been married for 21 yrs & 3 yrs dating. We semi hate each other but still have the passion that made us a couple. The fits are less dramatic (almost gone) and the arguments are short lived. Once you stop being two individuals and start becoming a team, life really gets fun. Just [size=medium]choose wisely[/size].

A gold digging mate will suck your life from you and leave you for the next target. Then your ruined to any other chance of a good relationship. Physical attraction is not a criteria either. If you can't think together, all the great sex will have little gratification once you get older and sex becomes less active (it gets better, if less). Plus, if you think they are hot, so does everybody else. Have you that special gift that will keep them from being lured? If not, make sure the person has high enough personal morals to keep the wolves at bay. They will try their best(gifts, manipulation of emotions, sexual distraction) for a taste. After it gets sampled, time to move on to the next flower. Can you pick up the shattered pieces and rebuild that trust after being hurt?

A solid marriage is built on trust, faith in a higher power than yourself and a common commitment to making it work. If divorce is not part of the vocabulary, you will eventually find common ground. Be prepared for compromise. It is not all about you. Especially once the family starts. If your hard work is kept intact, you will be amazed at the joys and fulfillment you can attain in the little things.

Or not!

 

[plainsong]

Well what can I say that yall don't already know? I mention Mr.Plainsong all the time, and that's simply because he's my best friend. There's nothing I do that he doesn't hear about, nothing he does that he doesn't include me in. I remember when we were internet-only. We made a promise to never take for granted being physically in the same place, and we never have.

We bicker, and we argue, but we trust, respect, like, and love.

We're just simply stuck together and that's that.

I have an aunt who still insists that his ultimate goal is to sell me into white slavery. Everyone outside the US and the internet = evil. Well, it's been 8 years he better get on the ball.