43 years on.....

My parents have been married for 53 years. I didn't make it to 20 . I get on far better with my ex now I don't have to deal with his crap on a daily basis. Though to be fair to him, he came to see me 4 times when I was in hospital recently (not entirely convinced that his wife knew) and he's as besotted with our DGD (and the one on the way) as me.

Just can't begin to imagine what it would be like without him- so my heart really goes to all of you missing your loved one- especially at Christmas and other significant dates. So hard

45 years this year- I was just 19, a kid on a 6 months work experience in London from the Swiss mountains. We only knew each other for 5 months before I had to return home (getting work visas was really difficult in those pre EU days). He was 24, came to visit me back home and asked me to marry him so we could be together (see above- impossible otherwise). He was 24. Then had that terrible car crash that saw me in hospital for 7.5 months - nearly lost the leg, and we got married in hospital and he then had to go back to London on his own.

It could all have been such a disaster- but we made it through and I just can't imagine life without him. Chalk and cheese, totally - it works, somehow.

(Flowers) for you Anniebach. Xx

We were married for 8 years, 1 month and 1 day, he died 40 years ago, I like to think our marriage would have lasted and we would have been in our retirement holiday cottage on the Welsh coast now and his grandchildren would know him .

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.

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.

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

Mine too annsixty. Profoundly sad ?

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

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.

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

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

(((hugs))) Marmight

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 .....

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.

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

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.....

Please add mine too, ann ?

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.

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!

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 ???

*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

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

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