Your Love Story

My husband and I worked together in a high end steakhouse. He was a cook and I was a waitress. I was 23, newly divorced with a toddler and I wasn't the least bit interested in him. He pursued me for 6 months before he finally convinced me to come to his apartment to watch the Super Bowl. That's when I realized that he had totally grown in me and I fell for him. About 3 weeks later, on Valentine's Day, he came home with me and he never left. That was 23 years ago and we'll have been married 22 years next month. He's my best friend and soul mate. We've had ups and downs, but we've always come through stronger each time.

Before him, I was married to a loser whose only redeeming quality was that he was the father to my son.

I can get really wordy. So basically I had a few serious and not so serious relationships in my late teens and 20s...then got married when I was 25 because I liked this guy and we got along well and had quite a bit of stuff in common. I was with him for 10 years total, but never knew what it was like to actually be in love, crazy about someone, all romancey-pants, etc. I basically thought "adult relationships" were boring and my marriage was normal. We barely slept together or hugged or kissed each other...for YEARS...it was more like roommates, really, raising a dog together and living a life in the same house etc. Then things happened (a tornado, a move, job changes, etc...all in one year) and we got a divorce. Best thing ever, in the long run :-)

After that, I went online and met a half dozen guys who were totally wrong for me, but mostly cool & nice guys. Each time, my online profiles for dating got stricter and crazier to the point of it looking like I was one of the pickiest people ever. I started an account with one site (OK Cupid) and immediately saw this guy from my area who sounded like he met all of my ideals and had 98% in common with me on all of the questions we answered, but he was 5 years younger and much fitter. I messaged him first (only time I EVER messaged a guy first) and within a week we met up. My first thought was "OH SH**" because he was so handsome and sexy...I wasn't expecting THAT.

The rest just happened naturally, if quickly...we are perfect for each other and absolutely crazy about each other. I seriously fell in love for the first time at age 35! We got married after about 1.5 years of dating. Our road has not been perfect at all, tons of crazy things happened...his mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer right when we were planning to move in together, and we had to be long distance 4 days per week for a year...his dad committed suicide when his mom passed away...lots more stuff I won't even go into. But I feel like we seriously have that once in a lifetime dream love thing. The lust, the commitment, the open communication, understanding, constant affection...all of it. It's pretty rad. ;-)

I am a strong believer in seeking out what you truly want and not settling.

IN to read the love stories! **wondering if true love actually does exist**

My prior relationships are a non-issue. I don't think about them except to occasionally shake my head in disbelief. My hubby and I met in the Air Force. I had heard a ton of bad mouthing about him before I even met him, which wasn't the best start. The first time we talked he had come over to me to chat and asked what I liked to do to which I replied "nothing you do" and turned around and ignored him. Poor guy. Fortunately he took it as a challenge. After he rescued me from a party where I was completely inebriated, took me to his room for some hangover preventative and still managed to be a perfect gentleman, I realized he was worth a second look. It's been over 13 years since then and I'm thankful I found him early in my life.

The lessons here: Don't believe everything you hear about people and true love does exist. I'm still kind of suprised that we love each other this much after this much time. Especially after the barrage of nay-sayers (old, married, bitter women) who said I'd hate him in 5 years :huh:

Met online on POF.

First date we met at a local park.

Met a skunk that same night. Funny story to tell.

Happen to have same Birthday.lol.

Don't lose faith in love, things get better :flowerforyou:

As for my story. My husband and I met during 9th grade; and we lost contact until 11th grade, because he changed schools. But after he came back, we started hanging out until the end of high school and considered ourselves to be close friends, but not besties..lol.

We lived in the same neighborhood, and he helped my family move, and it was during that time that I saw him in a different light, he continued to ask me to be his girlfriend, and I would deny, deny, deny. I only saw you as a brother, etc etc.

but during this time, he signed up to leave for military service, he was 18 at the time, and it was at the thought of losing him that I realized I needed him, so we decided to be boyfriend and girlfriend. Needless to say, we are both 30 now, and are still together.

He was my first and only, so 15 years we've known each other, 12 years we've officially been together, married 10 years.

I met my (now) wife back in college. She was in my Biology class. At first, I really did not like her. Thought she was a bit pushy and loud. After about a week of classes, I actually thought sh was a total B! So the last day of the first week the instructor tells everyone to find a lab partner and she comes over and plops right down next to me and says something about since I don't like her she is going to be my lab partner and make the class miserable. Of course, she THOUGHT she was kidding and was trying to tick me off, but as it goes, at that moment the instructor says stop right were you are and that is who you have for the semester. We BOTH just glared at each other.

Time went on and we did end up getting along. Never thought much about more of her than a school friend. We actually parted ways and I did not see her again until another Biology class. We decided to take our A&P together since we did pretty good in the previous class. Things kinda progressed from there and we became good friends, and eventually more.

We spent a lot of time together and grew close, and in 1996 I asked her to marry me (I played a game of hangman with her and surprised her when she guessed one that said, "Will you marry me?" She was crying and I got down on one knee wit the ring. We married in 1997.

I'll say, the surface of it is a good start to a love story. It was romantic, passionate, and fun. But even within the first year of marriage there were problems - many of which did not come out until almost 15 years later. It is always interesting to try and wrap your head around how there can be darkness in light of two people so much in love. But that is the real truth in all marriages.

So maybe you are wondering what happened (or not, but I am going to tell ya anyways...)

We are still married and are always growing stronger and wiser about love and commitment - about what a life together means and how we can stand by the vows we've made. If we have proven anything is that you will share the best parts of your life with people you love, and some of the worst as well. But there is hope and love for EVERYONE who is willing to put themselves out there.

Don't be afraid to find the right person you will be willing to suffer and soar with.

I seriously thought I found my soulmate last year. Turned out it was a bunch of lies built upon a pipe dream.

Not so sure there is such a thing as true love.

My guy sent me Noodz on MFP and it was love.

In other news, this will totally lift your spirits and make you pee your pants: http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukebailey/kids-falling-over