The Idiot’s Guide To Everyday Life

The Boy Who Cried Marriage

I love my dear Pete. He is the man I was made for. He is gentle and kind, passionate and intelligent, sensitive and yet still masculine. He is perfect for me. Peter has never been married, never had children, but wants to marry me and take on my children as his own.

Be that as it may… it’s not as if he’s never come close to marriage. My darling has been engaged not once….. not twice….. but three times. His parents have seen him go through many long term relationships with girls that just never seem to work out. Each of the three times he proclaimed “She’s the ONE!” they have gotten their hopes up for him, only to see it end bitterly, with one or both of them distraught. That being said, Peter has never been the one to end an engagement. He’s always been prepared to see it through, even though he admits that they weren’t the right girl, after the fact.

When my love returned home to the UK, his parents seemed excited and happy to see him, excited to hear of his travels and generally happy for us, that things had gone so well. Now, a month later, the truth has come out. They’re not happy. Granted, they’ve never met me, they’ve never seen us together. They have told him that he is selfish for planning to get married next year when they are planning later next year to go to Chile, and it would be a burden on them to have to make two trips in the same year. They treat our engagement as though it isn’t real, telling him he is being too rash and not thinking things through. In the end…. it’s like the boy who cried wolf, only in this case, the big pointy teeth belonged to the ghosts of fiancee’s past, and each time he’s been engaged only to have it called off in the end.

My family adored Peter. My mother couldn’t be happier with us getting married – she just hopes we live here and not in England because she doesn’t want to be away from her grandchildren. My mom and I spent Mother’s Day afternoon window shopping online for dresses for her to wear to the wedding and playing with a tape measure and some lycra to see if she could cut a few inches off in the process (GO MOM!). A complete 180 from the reaction I expected from her, but I’m liking it!

His mother has expressed her fear of getting to know me only to have him decide it’s a mistake. He says he knows it’s not a mistake. I believe it’s not a mistake. I believe I love this man more than myself, that I adore him, and live and breathe to be with him. The question is: How is it that the people who have known him since before birth, who are supposed to know him better than anyone else on earth, can not see on his face that this love is real? Do they know something that I don’t? Should I be more concerned than I am?

Please don’t misunderstand, I don’t doubt my relationship with my beloved. He is everything to me. I am simply concerned at his parents’ reactions. I expected a bit of shock, but not the hostility he seems to be encountering. I understand that a parent just wants what is best for their child and for them to be happy. And yes, being engaged 3 times only to have it cancelled may seem fickle – but he’s also 38 years old. He’s had plenty of time to get married, and simply knows he only wants to do it once, so he’s not done it when it’s not been right.

I just can’t help wondering – should their reaction be a red flag, or simply taken with a grain of salt (accompanied by a large margarita)? I don’t believe my betrothed would lead me on and then change his mind. I am solid in that belief. Am I right to be this certain when the two people closest to him on the planet aren’t?

50

1.My ex is/was…… finally started helping with childcare.

2. I should learn to… not spend money.

3. I love… my children and my beepooh!

4. People would say that I am… a muppet.

5. I don’t understand…. parents who just walk away from their kids after divorce.

6. When I wake up in the morning… I call my sweetie, if he hasn’t called me yet.

7. I lost… my mind.

8. Life is…. complicated.

9. My past has taught me…that the best things are worth waiting for – but I wish they didn’t take so long!!!!

10. I get annoyed when… my son doesn’t listen.

11. Parties… require a new dress (and cupcakes)!

12. I wish… I could move to England immediately.

13. Dogs and cats… make messes.

14. My childhood pet(s)… are long gone.

15. Tomorrow is… Mother’s Day!

16. I have a low tolerance for… employers who don’t pay!

17. If I had a million dollars… I would move to England and buy a house and throw my dream wedding.

18. I’m terrified of… losing everything.

19. I’ve come to realize… I’ve done a lot of growing up, even in the last five years!

20. I am listening to… Jaden playing Final Fantasy XII

21. I talk… too much, and don’t always make sense, and often to myself!

22. My best friends… know I’m crazy, but still have my back!

23. My first kiss… with Pete was at the airport on a moving sidewalk!

24. Love is… waiting all day just to hear his voice, because that makes everything ok.

25. Marriage is… sometimes a challenge, but with the right person, a lifetime of happiness.

26. Somewhere, someone is thinking… what the hell do I care what they’re thinking???

27. I’ll always be… overweight.

28. The last time I really cried was… When my fiance went back home till xmas!

29. My cell phone is…a piece of junkfrom China.

30. Before I go to bed…check the locks and scrub my face.

31. My middle name… is Michelle.

32. Right now, I am thinking… my tummy hurts.

33. Today I… took Josie for some Dippin’ Dots!

34. Tomorrow I will be… doing laundry, as usual!

35. I really want to… lose weight before my wedding.

36. The person most likely to re-post this is… don’t really care.

37. The person least likely to re-post this is…see question 36.

38. My relationship with my grandparents… my granny is my hero, my grandfather and step-grandma are great, my grandma and step-grandpa… snide and judgmental.

39. My most treasured possession is… I don’t really have one.

40. My favorite pictures…are of my kids and Peter!

41. I sing… in the car.

42. If I was a crayon… seriously? Who comes up with this shit?

43. Someday I want to travel to… England, Scotland, Chile, Spain.

44. I am wearing… jeans and a t-shirt.

45. My favorite class this semester is… N/A?

46. My favorite language is… American

47. It hurts… to be away from him.

48. I’m going to miss… my family and friends after I go.

49. My profile picture is… from 2 days before my Peetie left.

50. I need…more money.