One day, our darling little M will inevitably ask about how her father, J, and I first crossed paths. You know, the classic love story filled with sparks, flowing champagne, and all the romance. While we have some time before that moment arrives, it’s probably wise to concoct a version of our tale that’s a tad more, shall we say, polished than the actual truth.
Once she hears the real story, there’s no way we could dispense any sensible advice about relationships, men, or dating. We’d be utterly discredited. Here’s a quick list of the pearls of wisdom we can’t offer her:
- Marrying Young? Not Recommended. Seriously, don’t look to us for inspiration! Sure, we tied the knot at 22 and 25, but it was a different era. Back then, the internet was just a novelty, digital cameras were rare, and Mel Gibson was still a household name. Getting married young was the norm in the early 2000s, believe me!
- Avoid Marrying Your Study-Abroad Romance. Especially if your adventure takes you to Europe and you meet your love interest at a wild event like a festival in Barcelona (just a hypothetical scenario!). Those relationships rarely last; we just got lucky.
- Get to Know Him First. If a guy pops the question after just two weeks of dating, it’s a definite red flag. You should certainly wait longer—like, at least four months—before saying yes. These figures are just examples, of course.
- Meet the Family Before Committing. If your future mother-in-law’s opening line is, “Are you sure you want to go through with this?” that’s a sign to tread carefully. If it happens, just smile and nod, even if you’re feeling unsure.
- Skip the Catalog Dress. Seriously, just don’t. Trust me on this one.
- Choose Your Wedding Date Wisely. Opting for a Tuesday means your guests might not be thrilled about heading to work the next day. Always check the calendar and aim for a weekend; nobody wants a grumpy guest list.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what not to do. The longer list? Perhaps we’ll save that for when she’s a bit older—much older.
For more on navigating love and relationships, check out this post on Cervical Insemination. If you’re considering starting a family, Make a Mom offers fantastic resources for at-home insemination kits. Plus, for those curious about the journey of pregnancy week by week, March of Dimes is an invaluable tool.
In summary, while our love story may not be a traditional fairy tale, it’s filled with lessons that we hope to pass on to our daughter when the time is right.
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