43 years on.....

47 years married for us, he was 23 and I was not quite 19. We we were so very young and in many ways grew up together so both of us have changed a fair bit as we've matured over the years. One of the things I've appreciated in my old boy is that he has loved me all through those changes, and indeed still does. Of course we have our "grumps" and he can drive me to distraction but he's still the person I look for first to share stuff with, be it good or not so good news! We're blessed with so much but whichever way I do the sums there's now less time ahead of us than behind us. Thinking of all those who's special person isn't there anymore x

We clocked up 53 years last July, but then my husband died in October. He drove me doolally most of the time, we had some humdinger rows, but how I wish he was still here, no fun in being able to do just what you want when that`s all there is left to do.

callgirl1

I am surprised how young so many of us were.
We were 22 and 21. I think we probably "grew up" together, which enabled us to grow and change together. Only a psychological change in my H has changed our relationship. I pray the majority of you will never experience this change. Life is just different to expectations and not all doom any gloom, I have just had to adjust to this change and I have.

It's only 5 years for us. We're mere novices.

35 for us. I had a failed first marriage, married far too young as so many of my generation did. If I'd been able to live with him (in sin, over the brush, all those awful expressions) I would have, and it would have been over in a year, not 11 years. Still, I've been very very lucky in my second marriage, very happy, love him more with the passing years. We love each other, share all the stuff that life chucks at us, he's been a hero with my child from marriage one and is grandfather to her children. Feel blessed but also, very aware that relationships are like gardens, they grow slowly and need to be properly cared for

*Ann you're such a gracious person, I really hope that Christmas is the best in can be for you in your hard situation xx

It is so lovely to read all these posts but, yes, I am aware of the awful sadness many of you have experienced and continue to experience through loss or illness.

annsixty you are indeed a gracious person and I send you love and

Many best wishes to all out there tonight and I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas ???

45 years for us, some good, some bad, some in between, but we still rub along OK together!

45 years for us; some good, some bad, some in between but we still rub along OK together

My halo will hopefully be in my Christmas stocking. Seriously I only do what you would all do and I thank you all for lovely sentiments and good wishes.

Please add mine too, ann ?

Envious of you ladies that have such long lasting relationships. I was very happily married for 13 years but divorced after 16. Life is different to what I expected but totally full and amazing anyway. I never managed ti find another long term partner and have given up looking.
The person who broke up our marriage is now somewhat of a tv 'personality ' in her field although moved on to someone new shortly after my ex and I broke up.....

Approaching 42 years for us and I had just turned 21. He truly has been my anchor during some very stormy times.

I was 22 when we got married. DH was 25. That wasn't unusual then. Do you think there's something about growing up together that leads to long marriages? We seem to have weathered so many storms together and our whole lives seem so intertwined. We both have completely different interests and careers but lots of shared things too not least our children and now grandchildren.
I can't imagine life without him but who knows what's round the corner.

It would have been 43 years on 1 December. We just got to 38 when he died. A good marriage, happy times and 3 amazing daughters. I just wish we could have had longer together. Life is so different now and at this time of year his presence is sorely missed . Make the most of your time together everyone even during the difficult times. time is precious .....

(((hugs))) Marmight

I had a bad first marriage, with horrendous memories, but met Mr Marelli when I was 20. We've been together nearly 47 years, have ridden many storms, as many couples do, but he's been my rock throughout. We love and care for each other very much.
Sending a comforting, virtual arm around the shoulders of callgirl1 and Marmight, and all those who are now alone. xx

43 years, amazingly. Those of you who are still happy together are very lucky. I escape from my husband as much as I can!

43 years for us too,and another unusual,I'm one of 4 girls and one boy and we've all stayed married to the same person,as have [so far] all our children,so top that ladies and gentlemen.

When I said it was 58 years for us, I have to say both my C have broken marriages, to my dismay.

Mine too annsixty. Profoundly sad ?

Similar story here, 3 of our offspring are on their second marriages, youngest son still on his first, hopefully for good.

You know the Footprints poem? (Read it here if you're not familiar with it) Well I think that very often the Lord delegates The Wonderful Man to carry me. We're going through a very troubling family situation at the moment and we're both fairly distraught, but he is my anchor in the turbulence and just when I think I can't cope he's there to pick me up.

We married thirty years ago when he was just a boy of 23 and I was ten years older, divorced and had three children aged 3, 10 and 13. He has never let me down in all that time, he's my closest friend and I love and value him him deeply - as he does me.

for those whose special love is no longer here.

50 years for us, as we married young, as many did in those days. My parents would have been horrified if we had moved in together. It was living in sin in those days.
So, yes, we did marry young but we knew what we wanted and we've been very happy. Wouldn't change a thing. Love him to bits.