Recently, my partner and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary, a milestone that prompted me to reflect on our journey together. While our love story might not seem extraordinary to outsiders, it holds a special place in our hearts. We first crossed paths over 16 years ago during a sweltering August day at law school orientation. The details of our relationship are filled with amusing memories—awkward phone calls, late-night burritos, too many cosmos, and a hatchback drive that led to much debate about what constituted our first date.
I could easily romanticize our initial meeting, speaking of love at first sight and divine connections, but that wasn’t the case for us. Frankly, the hashtag #soblessed makes me cringe a little. Our love story is, in essence, quite ordinary. We are just like any other couple who has dated, fallen in love, and ultimately decided that we want to spend our lives together. He’s the person I argue with over the remote, the one I debate about 529 Plans and household bills with, and the one whose snoring I have learned to tolerate. Most importantly, he is the person I choose to share my life with.
Meeting my partner in our early 20s felt like a rite of passage; we thought we were so sophisticated and worldly, yet we were incredibly naive. Our relationship was characterized by impulsive decisions and boundless fun, as Paul Valery aptly put it, “Love is being stupid together.” We were undeniably crazy about each other, often in silly, impulsive ways. Over the years, we’ve matured—our love is still strong, but it’s more grounded now, shaped by the realities of life. And let’s be honest, we’ve grown too tired for impulsive escapades.
In long-term relationships, there comes a point where you realize you’ve spent more years together than apart. My partner and I are nearing that threshold, and it’s a beautiful place to be. Long-term partnership brings forth friendship, companionship, and a profound connection that develops through life’s challenges. It’s not just built on passion; it’s about respect, teamwork, and mutual appreciation. It’s knowing you have each other’s backs—even when you’re playfully flipping each other off behind closed doors.
One of the most rewarding aspects of committing to a partner at a young age is that you get to grow up together, navigating the tumultuous 20s filled with indulgence and poor choices, and then moving into the settling-down phase of your 30s, where exhaustion is balanced by appreciation and fewer mistakes. As I stand on the brink of a new decade, I’m uncertain about what lies ahead. Yet, one thing remains clear: there’s no one else I’d rather face the future with. Isn’t that what marriage is truly about? Growing together, aging together, and yes, sometimes being a little foolish together.
Ultimately, marriage is about choosing the same person to be “stupid” with for life, enjoying the journey of growing up, and eventually growing old—though we’re not there yet!
If you found this reflection on relationships meaningful, you might also enjoy exploring more about family-building options in our other blog post here. For those considering at-home insemination options, I recommend checking out reputable retailers like Make a Mom, which provides fertility booster kits. Additionally, Resolve offers excellent resources for understanding pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
Reflecting on the beauty of meeting your partner in your 20s, this article explores the growth and evolution of a long-term relationship. It captures the essence of shared experiences, from youthful naivety to the depth of companionship that comes with time. Emphasizing the importance of choosing to face life’s uncertainties together, it highlights the joy of growing up and getting older alongside your partner.
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