Start at the beginning… Part 1
Over the next several days I stopped by my parents’ house to pick up my things and take them to my new home. I avoided going over when I knew my dad was going to be home because I just couldn’t take how disappointed he was in me. (Although I deserved every bit of it)
There were a few times dh and I went over together and everyone was home. My dad would sit on the couch, watch television and pretend no one else was in the room. It was incredibly uncomfortable.
As for me, I was settling into my role as The unHappy Housewife. I didn’t know how to cook when I got married, and dh was a vegetarian. I quickly learned how to make a two meals, beans and cornbread – can of beans, box of cornbread mix and frozen pizza – unwrap, bake and serve.
Meanwhile, crazy blind guy was driving me crazy. You see, crazy blind guy was legally blind as defined by the social security administration which meant he could actually see up close, but could not see well enough to drive. He also belonged to some weird sect at our college that didn’t believe in using chemicals or wearing shoes. This meant that crazy blind guy always smelled disgusting and the apartment was filthy since he didn’t wear shoes and only rinsed his feet. I refused to clean up after this guy, so the apartment grew dirtier and dirtier.
One week night, my now always smiling brother had a baseball game. I convinced dh to come to the game even though we knew my family would be there. Dh knew nothing about baseball and I grew up in a family that thought nachos were their own food group. We arrived at the game and took a spot on the bleachers close to my family.
As the game went on somehow my dad and dh ended up sitting next to each other. Then something amazing happened, I looked over and my dad was actually speaking to dh! God had softened my dad’s heart towards dh and he was actually laughing and joking as he sat next to him. Now, my dad is a guy who loves a good practical joke, and I think he knew he had some fresh bait, as his own children had stopped falling for his pranks years ago. Realizing very quickly that dh didn’t know the difference between a baseball and a basketball, my dad was feeding dh lines to yell at the ump. Dh, wanting to create peace in my family, shouted out whatever my dad told him to say. Every bad pitch and poor call was addressed in a loud voice by dh from the stands. My dad sat there chuckling as he feed dh line after line. As we said our goodbyes after the game I had a feeling things were starting to change.
My mother-in-law, who loves parties, insisted we have some sort of reception to celebrate our wedding. My parents, who were just starting to warm up to dh offered to host this reception since no one had any money to do anything different. The reception was attended by old friends and family. It wouldn’t have surprised me if there was some betting going around behind our backs regarding how long this so called marriage was going to last.
After the reception, we headed to Tampa for our “honeymoon.” It was wonderful getaway at none other than Busch Gardens and accompanying us was my husband’s best friend from the Navy. He had come down for the reception and dh wanted to spend time with him while he was in town. Can you say romantic? My honeymoon picture was a automated camera shot of the three of us on the first drop of the Kumba roller coaster.
Needless to say I was quickly getting fed up with a filthy apartment, crazy roommate, a honeymoon for three, plus the fact that dh didn’t have a real job (he was currently employed as a daytime bartender making about $3 a day). I was working at a local restaurant almost full time paying the bills, while dh stayed at home and did…. well I don’t really know what he did, but I wasn’t happy.
Finally after we had been married about 3 weeks I laid down the law. I told him he better get a real job, get a haircut, and oh by the way, I was moving out. I called my parents and either told or asked them, I can’t remember, that I was moving back in. There was only one slight problem, my dad had turned my bedroom into an office. I didn’t really care, I was willing to sleep on the couch to get away from the mess I had created.
Arlene says
Oh, dear. I read this when you were first writing it out years ago, and for some reason decided to read through again… only to realize there’s no link to the next installment! Would love to know “the rest of the story!”
Onks says
Wow! How interesting…am waiting and think by now the rest of the story is out!
Becky Lowmaster says
right, we need more of the story. I just now read 3 parts as I knew the first few from awhile back. Thanks for hanging in there! Glad you are the Happy Housewife! Hugs!
Crystal Allison says
Where’s the rest of the story????? =) I can’t wait to hear what happens next! I also married someone I barely knew (we met one month before getting engaged, then engaged for one month before saying ‘I do’) almost 13 years later and we are still going strong!
Steffani Platt says
Oh. My. Goodness. You have got me telling my husband this story, and…..wait, where is the rest of it??? Please, please give us the rest of the story.
Tracy says
add me to the and….list??
Sara says
I agree with others. I just found this and I am dying to know what happens next!
Tammy says
2 years in the making, where is the next installment!!??
I love how you write ~ you really should do this professionally, as in you need to write books!! =)
Robin says
WOW!!!!!!!!!! How totally hilarious!!! Ok, so I am also waiting on the edge of my seat! This is an amazing story! Amazing to see how God works.
So…when did your dh accept the LORD? Can’t wait to hear the rest!!!!
megan says
I just discovered your story- please finish it!! 🙂
June says
Oh, this is hysterical!! But then what happens?? You can’t leave us hanging like this! How’d you go from there to here????
Pat says
I just found this story and havent stopped laughing yet. It reminds me so much of my sister’s first marriage. Hysterical!! Not where is the rest of the story?? It is now 2011 so I’m sure you finished it already. Thanks for cheering me up ..
Candace says
I somehow stumbled upon your blog for the first time this evening, and loved what I found. In the midst of it, found an absolutely HILARIOUS love story!
It literally made me cry with laughter —
“This meant that crazy blind guy always smelled disgusting and the apartment was filthy since he didn’t wear shoes and only rinsed his feet” — I LOVE IT!
It is completely awesome that you guys have been together 16 years and have a wonderful family. I can not wait to read the rest, and please convince long haired hippie, AKA DH to share his point of view.
Thanks SO much for sharing!
Rhonda says
Hi, I’m not sure how I came here but I glad I did just for your story!!! Oh I so hoped you had finished it…I’m dying to know what happened next!!! Please don’t leave us hanging!! 😀 Lovin it! I’m sure you were a “mess” back then with what you got yourself into!
Mrs. Jo says
Dying to hear the rest……
I would just as soon walk off a cliff than marry someone I didn’t know. I can’t help but wonder where you were at and what you were thinking back then? It gives me goosebumps just thinking about what a risky move that was!
Sherry says
I don’t know how I missed this installment.
That is awesome how GOd worked in the relationship between your dad and your dh. 😀
Going to go read the next installment. 😀
Erin says
Heart palpitations are settling down…I thought I lost the blog and kept thinking it was yours but couldn’t find the posts and I was dying to read the next one (turns out I missed it because Valiant’s 13th birthday was Monday and it fell through the birthday cracks!). Phew! Now I can go back to doing the real stuff I’m supposed to be doing rather than reading every single blog I subscribe to, looking for the right one…
So, I guess you can tell that I am enjoying your story? Thanks for sharing!
Kara says
My first time visiting your blog and I am really enjoying this story 😀 Can’t wait to hear more!
Angela says
This is my first time commenting on your blog, but I’ve been reading for a while. I am truly enjoying your story – thanks for sharing it with us!
Angela 🙂
Mary @Raising 4 Godly Men says
Okay I am totally waiting for the next segment ! Let me know when you write it !!
Blessings my SSiC
In Him<
-Mary
Somebody's Mimi says
I just found this exciting story! I can’t imagine any one doing this! And what did dh’s family say? Oh, I guess you will get to that later! No really is this fiction?????? Actually it is sure to be a best seller… it is eveytime I tell it. Now please continue….
Stephanie says
we’re waiting for the next installment! great story!
momstheword says
Boy, you sure know how to make a girl wait!
Monica M. says
Wow! I can’t even imagine what your parents thought or I guess what you were thinking. I hope you will post some pictures of long hair hibbie guy, blind dude etc. God is so good and mercyful.
Organizing Mommy says
No wonder you have to stay up late and write–this is TOO good. I’m still trying to figure out if this guy is the guy you are currently married to or what happened. Either way, I know it has a happy ending.
Keeley says
Oh my good gravy, if I don’t get more of this story soon my head is going to explode. GAH! Hurry up and write more already! =)
Christina Taylor says
Do you love keeping all of the stalkers in suspense? 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more, when did he cut his hair, doesn’t he eat meat now?, and when did he come to know Jesus? (in reality, not through your come to Jesus discussions! 🙂
Shay Brewer says
I am new to your blog and I have to say that your story has me captivated and in the process I must admit I am now completely in love with your blog. Thanks so much for sharing. I am really enjoying it and waiting on baited breath for the next installment.
Thanks from a now unlurking reader!
*Shay B*
Katherine says
I love your story! I can’t wait for the next chapter!
missy says
Great story How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
jolyn says
Oh, there is “the rest of the story…” Yes? And those curtains in your girls’ room are adorable, btw.
Jamie says
Oh, I can’t take it! You have to give me MORE!!!!
Wendy says
I discovered your story a couple of days ago and my husband and I read all of the installments and were waiting for today’s!! It certainly didn’t disappoint … now we are waiting for the next one … please, please tell me that you are going to finish this story!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Joelle says
You ARE going to write another installment, aren’t you?! Oh please, oh please…
Sonshine says
I am loving reading your story!
I think there was some betting going on behind my hubby’s and my back once we got married too! We had a long distance relationship except the two weeks before we were married. He was in the Navy and I was in college. We will be celebrating 14 years this year. 🙂
Can’t wait to read more of your story! 🙂
Stephanie says
We are enjoying this so much, and by we I mean my husband and I. I’ve been reading each story aloud to him and he jusk asked if you had written the next chapter yet! I told him no cause I had just checked, but here it is! We are both on the edge of our seats…
🙂
Jacquelin says
how long do I have to wait to read the next installment? I love the story!
Lawanda says
*tapping my toes*
*waiting*
Oh. Patience is not one of my strong points! Didn’t I tell you that?! haha
Shannon C says
I’m literally sitting on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to read more! You need to compile this into a memoir!
Nancy M. says
You keep surprising me! You’re moving out? Can’t wait to read the next one!
Upstatemomof3 says
Man,I am riveted by this story. 🙂
Amy @ Finer Things says
Wow. So glad this has a HAPPY ending… you should be the poster child for “make it work.”
Amy Ellen says
smiling… and eager to hear the next installment. we know this has a good ending, right? i mean… it seems so… i just can’t make the bridge yet.