Monday, November 12, 2012

best decision I ever made....

When I was engaged to Eric I got a ton of feedback about how I was making the wrong decision. Why were so many people against the idea of Eric and I getting married? Because we were young.


Eric was 21 and I was 19 when we started dating. 10 months later we sealed the deal at ages 22 and 20. When we got engaged all of our loved ones were ecstatic for us! But I'm a hairstylist which means I see and have conversations with a ton of different people every single day. I had a lot of people sit down in my chair and tell me that I should wait to get married. I should travel the world before picking my spouse. We both needed to grow up before we could handle a marriage. The list of reasons why we "needed" to wait could go on forever. But I knew that Eric was the one for me. He is the one that I wanted to experience the highs and lows of this life with. I wanted him by my side while I traveled the world. Eric is the one I choose to be with for eternity.


Marriage isn't always easy... but it's not supposed to be! I don't think marriage would have been an easier adjustment had I waited until 30 instead of 20 to be married. But we went into this commitment with the knowledge that even though it wasn't going to be easy, we were going to work our buns off to make this thing work! It helps that I picked the right man to be my husband, and visa versa, but it is so satisfying each time we make it through a difficult trial together. We come out of the highs and lows more in love than before!


Eric is my best friend, my biggest support, my partner in crime, and my deepest love. We fight hard, we play harder, and we love the hardest. We don't ever stop working at our marriage because the moment we do is the moment it will all fall apart. Our marriage means everything to us, and for that reason we are willing to give it our all! I'm not ashamed to say that we married young because we have grown together. And I can't wait to see how we will continue to grow and love as our life together goes on... starting with the newest addition to our family come December :) Experiencing these huge changes, and the highs and lows each day with Eric by my side, is the BEST decision I ever made!


This post has actually been published before on Janna's blog! But lately I've been feeling so much gratitude towards my amazing husband. He has been so great and I wanted to express how much he means to me! This past week Eric has painted my toe nails because I can't reach anymore, he's rubbed my back to help relax my muscles so that I can walk again, made waffles because I was craving them, and so much more! He truly is the BEST and I'm so thankful he's mine!!

42 comments:

The Olive Tree Blog said...

love it! I turned 21 and got married 2 weeks later. best thing i ever did. ever. :)

Unknown said...

I think that everyone is different. I'm 23, and I am so far away from being ready for marriage. With that said, I have friends who have gotten married young, and it was totally the correct choice for them.

I think that, ultimately, we are the only ones that know what is right for us, and I think your marrying Eric when you did was exactly what you should've done.


I'll be surprised if I'm married before I'm 30, however. :)

Anonymous said...

So sweet!

RadiantKristen said...

Those naysayers really should just keep their mouths shut! Every couple, and every story is different! Good for you and Eric that you guys knew it was right and went for it, despite what other people thought.

Christy said...

I thought this seemed familiar! :) I'm glad you have such a sweet and supportive husband. I can't imagine how women have babies without that kind of support.

Laurie @ Stylin Savanna said...

I think everyone is different and people shouldn't judge! I was 15 when we had our son. Nick was 17. Of course it wasn't planned and we've had tons of negative comments thrown our way. It was never ever easy. However, we both finished school and went on to have successful careers, we now OWN our own home(paid for in cash mind you) and we married at 22. I don't regret a single choice I've made. My choices have turned me into the person I am today. Everyone is different, I prefer to travel the world with my husband then alone. I'm excited for all life has in store for us. & I'm glad I'm not the only one that married young! :) I'm soo happy for you and Eric and this new baby you are bringing into the world. I know you'll be a great Mom and this step will bring you closer.

Ashley said...

We got a few people who said the same things to us too. We had been together since we were 18 and got married at 21 and 22. Granted we waited three years but still we were young. We knew what we wanted and I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes, it can be hard but we have grown up together and experienced so many of lives big events by each other's sides. :)

Ashley said...

We got a few people who said the same things to us too. We had been together since we were 18 and got married at 21 and 22. Granted we waited three years but still we were young. We knew what we wanted and I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes, it can be hard but we have grown up together and experienced so many of lives big events by each other's sides. :)

Pamela said...

So sweet! Beautiful couple :)

Michelle said...

Awww cute! We get the same flack. We started dating when we had just turned 17, and we are still together and it's been around 6.5 years.

Unknown said...

love all the love! i was ripe ol age of 19 hubs was 23. i like that i got married young. i didn't feel the need to travel the world. and i have a partner in crime through all the good, bad, and crazy. it's made my life so much more fun!!

Brittany said...

Beautiful pictures!!! I agree..."age ain't nothin' but a number" :). When you know, you just know! God lays something, especially love, on your heart and you roll with it. Y'all are precious!

Tiffany said...

We were older (25 and 27) and it was perfect for us, but each person has a different story. I DID travel the world and all that, actually how I wound up with a Brazilian husband, and even then people had their opinions. "He's not American..." being the biggest one. But when you know, you know. We have been told by many that we are the happiest couple they knew -- and these are people who advised me against it. You are the one who has to live with it, and it sounds like you are living more than well with it -- happily and loved. That's what marriage is all about, right?

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

You guys are too cute together! I'm so glad you are both happy!

Madeline said...

so great. I got married at eighteen. EIGHTEEN. I got a lot of the same reasons. But for me I think it would have been harder to get married in my thirties. I love that we are "growing up" together. That we're making mistakes and learning together. Plus I can have all the kids I want before I'm thirty and still be young enough to travel the world with HIM! (Hopefully we'll have money by then ha)

Robin said...

I LOVE THIS POST. I'm 23 and not am not yet engaged (although I'm working on it hahaha ;)) but when I told people my boyfriend of 2 years and I are moving in together I got so many comments about how I was too young and needed to live my life before I settle down. Um, what? For me, all the adventures and fun I want in life mean nothing if I don't have someone to share it with! I'm so glad to read others feel this way too! Also, your pictures are GORGEOUS.

Julie said...

That is one thing I dislike about people - they are fast to judge you and your life but the moment you try to judge theirs or something its wrong! My SIL married her husband when she was 19, he 21 and they just celebrated 10 years and 2 babies together but she says she wouldn't change it for the world.

You and Eric are cute together and baby makes you two even happier!

Ashley said...

When it's right, it's right!!! And look at the wonderful life you have! (Can't wait for that sweet baby girl to join your family!)

Amanda Schroeder said...

I seriously LOVE this. And I completely agree. I get so much crap for getting married at 19 years old but that was definitely the best decision I ever made! You're cute! Can't wait for the perfect babe!

Courtney Gordon said...

Age is just a number. When you find the right man it all works out. Like you said a marriage has to be worked at, nurtured and fought for, but if there's unconditional love there, then it doesn't matter how old you are.

I love how your hubby is your best friend and you can rave about what an amazing partner he is and that he does your toenails, cooks, and rubs your back because your preggo. Love it lady!

Kelly said...

You two are adorable and I don't see anything wrong in your decision to marry at a young age. I have friends who are in their late 20s and early 30s who STILL don't have it figured out.

dlpower said...

Husbands are the best! Especially during pregnancy when they are just so sweet and helpful. You two are cute together and you have the right attitude about always working on your marriage. So grateful the gospel helps us understand that marriage is much longer than just here on earth.

Unknown said...

Age shmage! When I met my boyfriend I knew *that night* that I'd be walking down the aisle to meet him at the end of it. We haven't tied the knot yet, but it's a financial thing, not a question of age... if you are ready for it, you should do it! And everyone else's opinions shouldn't matter! :)

Amanda said...

HAPPY! THat's the best way to describe this post :) I'm so glad marrying him was the best decision you ever made.

Jessica M. said...

Everyone is different. Whether you find the right one when you're 19, or when you're 26, it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is how you feel. If you feel that the time is right, who cares what the rest of the world thinks. ;)

Nichole @ casadecrews.com said...

Love this! I was "normal" age {whatever that means!} when I got married and sometimes you are too young BUT at the same time its your life, so....also just reading your blog this last year or so, obvs you two worked out and are very happy!

Shannon @ Bungalow960 said...

Love knows no age. You two are perfect.

Allison said...

I just loved reading this Courtney! Such a sweet story!

Julie said...

This is so sweet. What a blessing to have found each other!

Alexis Kaye said...

This is so sweet. Power couple!!!

Laynah said...

It's different for everyone! You just need to get married when they know they've found the right person. I had many people tell me things like that also, and when I asked them when they knew their spouse was the one for them they always say that it was within a few months of dating!

That said, you are the sweetest. I basically want to go hug my husband and cry now.

Rosie said...

You can never win with this one. I'm 31 and am not married. People seem to think it's ok to tell me I'm getting too old to find someone. I've found him, but he's not ready yet....something about living in different countries....we have a plan...but it might mean we have to wait until I'm *gasp* 33! Love & commitment are ageless.

Chelsea said...

We live in a very selfish world where people are all about themselves these days. Oh no, don't have babies or get married because that will get in the way of your career! I don't know how many times I've heard that. Good for you for following your heart.

Michelle said...

Girrrrrl. Let me tell you! I got married at 22 and people had a LOT to say about it. I can't tell you how many people told me I would be divorced in several years.

Getting married young was the best choice for me. I knew right when we started dating that James was the one. I just knew it! He knew it too. Plus, I want us to grow and grow up together. So many times people are more selfish and set in their ways when they wait to get married. We're still young and learning, and I think that's an advantage.

Janna Renee said...

I'm glad that you reposted it! It is beautiful and definitely needs to be shared ;)

Karla said...

Aww this post gave me butterflies.. and made me appreciate LOVE and Marriage so much more. It is one tough road that I wouldn’t change!
I cant wait to have babies one day I too think my husby would be an amazing father.

lori said...

i absolutely LOVE this post!! ya'll are so precious and that picture under your veil is beautiful!

greg and i started dating when i was 19 and he was 21... after dating for 4.5 years, we got married at 23 and 25... and people still asked us why we got married so young. it was just right for us... i wanted to experience live with him.

lori said...

and that should definitely say "i wanted to experience LIFE with him"... no live ;)

That Girl said...

I'm not going to lie - marriage actually probably would have been easier if you had waited a bit. And that's coming from someone who has been with the same person since she was 18, so I totally get where you're coming from. And that's not to say there's anything wrong with getting married young, or anything against your marriage (which I have no doubt will stand the test of time), but it has been amazingly good for our marriage that we were able to deal with most of the hard stuff before we pledged ourselves to each other. One less stressor on the relationship knowing that we didn't HAVE to make things work, but that we would because we wanted to.

Shelley said...

We were dating and got married at the same ages as you guys!! Luckily I didn't have people telling us not to. Rude!! I totally agree that working through things together is what makes you even closer.

Heather said...

LOVE this! There is no "perfect" age to get married...it all depends how you work on your relationship and make it work through the up's and downs! Wonderful post!

Katie said...

I was 20 when I was married too! some people did think we were crazy but almost 8 years later and we are still so happily married!

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