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Our Story ~ Part Four or How to Have a Frugal Wedding

by Toni Herrbach

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Before reading make sure you read

Our Story

Why I Should Have High Tailed it Out of the Apartment Complex

Why You Should Never Let Boys with Long Hair Take Your Daughters to the Airport

I had just agreed to get married… to someone I hardly knew.

As I left the plane long-haired hippie was not there to pick me up. Where was he, was this all a joke, did he get cold feet, or was this my golden opportunity to come to my senses, take a bus home and go back to life as I knew it.

Before I had time to come to any conclusions long-haired hippie arrived, breathless and carrying a bouquet of flowers. Apparently he took a wrong turn driving to the airport and was delayed. The rest of the afternoon is a blur although I remember driving to the same place I had recently paid a speeding ticket, signing some papers and then reciting something about all my earthly possessions and till death do us part. Honestly, death didn’t seem too far off because soon after I was married (less than two hours after getting off the plane) I came to the realization that….

MY PARENTS WERE GOING TO KILL ME!

Did I forget to mention that my parents had no idea that their first born was secretly plotting to get married to someone she barely knew and who they didn’t know at all? And did I forget to mention that long-haired hippie was an atheist and my parents were former missionaries?

I had only been married about 3 seconds when all of this became very clear. What was I thinking, did I seriously just marry this guy? Am I going to have to move in with blind crazy guy who never brushed his hair? Is long-haired hippie really going to keep his promise of going back into the Navy? Did I just throw away my college plans?

I realized that I had to tell my parents as soon as possible because every second that passed I felt sicker and sicker about the mess I had just created. We drove to my parents’ house, and to illustrate how this is probably the absolute worst moment in my life, even as I type this 16 years later I still feel sick about it! When we arrived, my parents were not home. My little brother was though, so I decided I could tell him and practice the death march.

When I told my brother (who was 17 at the time) a slow grin came over his face. I am not sure, but he was probably thinking that no matter how much trouble he ever got in for the rest of his life, it would be nothing compared to what his big sis had just done. I had just given him a get out of jail free card for the rest of his life!

Telling my brother really did nothing to calm my completely stressed out self, so we ended up going to dinner with long-haired hippie’s family. I spent the entire meal trying to figure out a way to tell my parents that I had just gotten married in a way that wouldn’t upset them. Yes, I was insane at this point. As the meal ended I knew the time had come to meet my fate and go back home (well, I guess it was my old home) and drop the bomb.

Coming soon….  Our Story ~ Part Five or Shock and Awe

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Comments | 26 comments

« Our Story ~ Part Three Or Why You Should Never Let Boys with Long Hair Take Your Daughters to the Airport
Shock and Awe »

Comments

  1. Cindy A. says

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    Flowers. Nice touch.

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  2. Katena says

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    I can not wait to hear more. What a great story!! Our story is similiar to yours but I knew hubby as a friend. Now almost 20 yrs later married 15 and 6 boys where has the time gone.

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  3. Anne-Marie says

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    After 4 installments, I am actually relieved the tale is not over. And I can’t wait for #5.

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  4. Sarah says

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    I can’t believe how much I want to hear the end of your story, lol! It all seems so incredibly romantic, especially since we know that you are still together.

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  5. Stacie says

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    I am new to your blog and I just have to say that I am LOVING your story!! (and your blog!)

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  6. Aunt T says

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    I know what happens next….I was there!

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  7. JustAnotherSAHM says

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    Sorry, but I am SO laughing while reading all of these.
    It is a great story so far, and wow, you definitely had the ‘most frugal wedding ever’. I thought we did fairly well be going to Vegas, but you win hands down! lol
    Can’t wait for the next installment.

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  8. Katherine @ Relishing Life says

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    Yes, I know the feeling…

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  9. Mary @Raising 4 Godly Men says

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    What a wild and romantic story ! But I have to agree with you to tell your kids DO NOT DO THIS ! LOL

    You had me in stitches and will still come to your blog for common sense ideas. [0; I am impressed that you can tell this story 16 years later. [0=

    Blessings and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
    In Him<
    -Mary

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  10. Bree says

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    I have only been reading your blog for a few months but everytime I read your story I keep waiting for you to say, “HA HA just kidding… now for the real story…” It is not like I know you FOR REAL but reading this site daily I am in a state of shock and AWE!!! but I keep checking back several times a day just to see if you posted more! Geesh and I thought my parents took it hard when they finally had to accept I was getting married! You make my experience seem like a walk in the tulips! I cant imagine!!!

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  11. Lawanda says

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    OH MY GOODNESS!!! This is great stuff! haha I just woke my kids up laughing so hysterically!!!

    Seriously. Great Stuff. 😀

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  12. Carla says

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    I am sooooo intrigued!! I just want to sit here an wait to read the next installment!

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  13. Nancy M. says

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    I can’t wait to read the rest! Wow an atheist? I am still in shock how quickly things moved. This could make a great movie!

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  14. Sherry says

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    I can just imagine the smirk on your brothers face and how nervous and scared you were to tell your parents. YIKES!!

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  15. momstheword says

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    I can’t wait to hear what your parents said! I’ll bet they were surprised. I know I’d be if my 20 year old came home married!

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  16. Jamie says

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    Noooo! You’re going to leave me hanging?? NOOOOO!!!! lol

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  17. Andrea @ Mommy Snacks says

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    Did you tell his parents right then? What was their reaction? Can’t wait!!

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  18. Upstatemomof3 says

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    Oh my goodness!!! If my kid did that I would KILL her. I love the story though. It really is awesome.

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  19. Beki says

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    Ok, so I’ve been your sister in law for how many years now?? I have never gotten this many details! I am loving finally hearing the whole story!

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  20. Beth@Not a Bow in Sight says

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    I am marveled at this story. Obviously he was THE one. Can’t wait to hear the rest!

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  21. MNKristy says

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    Oh my gosh, Toni! I just can’t believe this story. I am dying to hear the rest. This is absolutely amazing. I would have never guessed any of this about you in a million years!

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  22. Tiffany says

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    I have enjoyed your blog, tips and recipes for about a year now. and I am LOVING this series.

    God is certainly using you and your story to help teach me PATIENCE!

    but can’t you just hurry up and tell the rest?!?!?!??!?! PULEASE!!!

    😉

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  23. Amy Ellen says

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    AAARRRGGG… you did it again… the waiting is the hardest part!

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  24. Phoebe @ Cents to Get Debt Free says

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    Oh my word! Can’t wait to read more!

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  25. Joelle says

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    I’m breathlessly awaiting the next installment…

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  26. Shannon C says

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    Can’t wait to read more! I am dying to learn how you ended up where you are today!!!

    Reply

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Our Story

  • How I Came to Know the Long Haired Hippy
  • How to Have a Frugal Wedding
  • My First Attempt as The Happy Housewife
  • The Summer in Which I Became Frugal and Long-Haired Hippie ate Meat
  • Why I Should Have High-Tailed it Out of the Apartment Complex
  • Why You Should Never Let Long Haired Boys Take Your Daughters to the Airport

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