How Long Have Your Parents Been Married?
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
United States
March 12, 2007 11:43pm CST
Next month, my parents will celebrate their 49th anniversary. Even though they have gone through a lot of difficulties over the years, they have managed to stay together and I am so glad. The main reason they did, though, is because they took their vows seriously and they didn't give themselves the option of divorce. They made a determination that they would stick it out regardless of how they felt from moment to moment.
I even tried to talk my mother into divorce when I was a kid because my father was abusive for most of my childhood and I wanted to get away from him. I almost convinced her one time but she decided to stay. Of course, you have to realize that when I was a kid, people didn't talk about abuse or even acknowledge it for the most part. And, my mother was a housewife with no skills to earn enough to support four kids.
However, now I am so glad that they stayed together and fought the urge to throw in the towel when things became difficult. They depend on each other so much at this point and they are so used to each other. They still annoy each other at times but most of the time they get along.
They started dating when my Mom was 14 and my Dad was 17 and got married five years later. And, yes, they were both virgins when they married, which is also pretty great as far as I'm concerned.
Okay, that's my story. What's yours?
13 people like this
61 responses
@thrwbckjay67 (2870)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Let's see... it's always pretty easy for me to tell how many years my parents have been married because they were married the year I was born. (They got married in January, and I was born in August of '83).
So let's see. 2007-1983=24 years. Wait, that means I'm gonna be 24 this year! hahahaha
My parents couldn't have been two different people.
My father was born and raised in Connecticut, came out to California to attend San Francisco State University out of all places in the world. My mother was born in the capital of the Philippines, Manila. She came over when she was 13 years old because my grandfather served under General McArthur in WWII. She also decided to go to San Francisco State University.
Well, the rest is... my history.
1 person likes this
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
13 Mar 07
My parents were married in April and I was born in December. I was a wedding night baby. However, I was born 25 years before you. Your grandfather is a bit older than my Dad (probably by about 10 or 15 years).
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
14 Mar 07
WOW! To everyone who posted a comment here. I am amazed at the response to this question and so glad for all the wonderful comments and to learn how many people have parents who have stayed together for so long. Thank you so much for all the well wishes and all of the posts. I tried to respond to everyone's but this sort of took off and I don't have that many hours to spend doing this so I wanted to post a group note to say thank you and let you know that I've read all of the comments, I just can't reply to them all!
I'm mostly impressed by how many people want to have that same kind of long-lasting marriage and I so pray that you do. Thanks again for all of the wonderful stories!
@gvnath2007 (84)
•
13 Mar 07
There are four divisions of life in the society. The rich, upper middle, middle and lower classes. The lower class people are sentimental and lead life mechanically. The middle class ruffle for existnce, the upper middle class ponder to be highclass but could not. and strive for false prestiges . There aredifferencebetween wife an husband which leads to domestic violence. ,due to imbalance of social ,financialand mental abilitie.sothey live with struggle but dont want to be separated.The rich are away from genera sentiments and doanything as they are much interestedin their own dinterestsof life and does not hesitate to give divorce to spouse.Finally living together will be good for the ociety as well as to the family.
1 person likes this
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I'm sorry but you're wrong. My parents were millionaires and they still remained faithful to each other while they were making that money and when they lost it all 20 years later. You need to do a little more growing up before making such outlandish statements that you know nothing about.
@Datingtheplayer (661)
• United States
13 Mar 07
my parents wre married for 11 years. they have been divorced for 16 now though. my mother never remarried and my father remarried twice...
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
14 Mar 07
I'm sure that hasn't been easy for you but keep in mind that you aren't your parents and you can have a long lasting relationship. I guess I just felt I should encourage you regarding that.
@d_eagle (100)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
my mom and dad celebrated thier 38 years last jan 27. never saw them in discussion that would end in fight. i never saw my father hurt my mother physically. we live simple, and our only problem then was financial, nevertheless we stay happy. mom was only 17 and dad was 19, when they met and after a year they got married and had 6 children. i really admire them, i know they stated so young, took al the hardship in life and together they gone through all the trials. i hope they can spend more years together, but father now is sick, and mom is taking care of her.
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I'm sorry your Dad is sick. I will put him in my prayers for God to heal him. Take care.
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
13 Mar 07
My parents were married for 30 years when they got divorced. My mother was convinced that Dad was cheating on her, and unfortunately, the situation just got worse till my Dad finally snapped and said he wanted a divorce.
I asked my father if he'd cheated on my mom, and he looked me straight in the eye and said no. Thats how I know he wasn't lying. My father cannot look me in the eye when he's lying.
They have been divorced now for 6 years, and my mom still cannot forgive him. For what exactly I don't know. I think she knows deep down that he was telling the truth when he said he didn't cheat.
Divorcing though, was the best thing they ever did. My father is remarried, and my mother is in a very long term relationship. Both are happier than I ever remember them being when they were married to each other.
@kurtbiewald (2625)
• United States
13 Mar 07
thank you , that story gives me hope for me and my wife
maybe we would be happier with other people, I often think so
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I'm sorry they split but it sounds like you are doing your best to hang in there.
@faylinn_chaeli (1619)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
My parents are married for 21 years now. I am 20 years old. And their anniversary is on the 16th of March. They've been married twice, in the church and the other one is on the district officer.
@jojopuff (520)
• United States
13 Mar 07
My parents will have been married for 35 years this month. They both had previous marriages, but they are still going strong after all these years!
I recently got married in September, and it is so important to make and KEEP those vows you make on your wedding day. So many people these days just think "oh, if we fight, I'll just leave" and don't bother working on their relationship and working out their problems. Marriage is a serious thing and it's sad that people enter into it so half-heartedly and without really wanting to try to make things work when things go wrong. It's great that your parents have stayed together all this time!
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I agree completely! And, I'm so happy for both you and your parents!
1 person likes this
@emilysdabomb (360)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
my parents will celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary this year. it's easy for me to compute this 'cause i was born a year after they got married. i'm turning 28 this year, that's why. mom was 26 and dad was 30 when they got married. this may sound crazy but when i was a kid, i envied my cousins with separated parents. every time my parents had a fight, i would always tell myself i wish my parents would just separate because it would be better than seeing them fighting all the time. it was scary for us kids because of the shouting and we didn't understand what they were fighting about. now that i'm an adult myself, i realized that most of the time, they only fight over petty things and that's just a part of their life as a couple. and they mellowed a bit, too, maybe because they're older. i can see their love for each other and it's evident to us that one can't live without the other.
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
14 Mar 07
I understand because I was born 8 months and 2 weeks after my parents got married. I was a wedding night bundle of joy.
@nglanfield (559)
• Turkey
13 Mar 07
Congratulations to your parents, 49 years together thats great, there are so many couples out there that will divorce for the simplest of reasons, I'm glad to see that even though your parents had some difficult times they had remained together.
My parents will be celebrating their 38th anniversary this June, although they did tend to annoy each other abit. They have had a happy marriage.
@vashstampede992000 (2560)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
By this coming month of June, my mom and dad will celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary as my eldest bro was turned 23 now...
My family is happy ever since though there's a lot of problems, and we've been through ups and downs, but still getting stronger..
And that's what im proud of about my family!
Always remember....
The Family that always pray together, stay together!
Godspeed!
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
14 Mar 07
That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you and your family.
@interarete (108)
• Italy
13 Mar 07
Hello,
my parent have been married since 1964, so they have been together for 43 years. My father is 76, while my other is 61, I hope the will celebrate also their 50th anniversary.
They both worked during their life, so now they are enjoing their rest.
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Congratulations to them and I'm in agreement with you about them making their 50th.
@smartgirl826 (106)
• India
13 Mar 07
my parents have been married since1978. till now they are living happily and am sure it will last forever as they both love each other and hate separation.
both my mom and dad are very loving and caring towards me and my brother.i think i am living in love-world.
@varunoberoi (266)
• India
13 Mar 07
well..my parents have been married since 27 years now and hope to see them for another 4 decades now...yes they tooo have loads of problems ...but still have been abe to stick on to them ...mostly my mom compromises....and my dad never really says sorry...but he shows that he is...and thats nice...they have taken really good care of the four of us.....and thats what i think they both agree to....its nice..
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Congratulations and best wishes for the 4 more decades.
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Wow. I'm glad that the abuse has stopped for your mom, that is so sad that she felt that she had to endure that. My parents have been married 54 years! My mom loves to tell me the story of how she would always want to play with her older brother and his friend. They would make her go away and play without her. As they grew older and got in high school, her brother's friend took a second look at her and the rest is history! Yes, they grew up in the same neighborhood and my father was my mom's brother's friend!
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
13 Mar 07
That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you and your parents!
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
13 Mar 07
I agree with you...good for them...
marriage is not an easy road and these days people tend to not be in it for the long haul...'eh, if it doesnt work out i can always get a divorce' seems to be the mindset these days...
my hubby and i have been married almost 20 years, we were virgins when we married as well...it has NOT been easy, i left hubby for 6 months last year but i changed, he changed and things are great...it is good for kids to come from a solid 2 parent family (my daughters really suffered when we were seperated)
if you are having probs, get counselling...usually things can be worked out...
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I'm so glad you and your hubby got back together. Keep working through things and determine to stay together.
@myworld_and_you (1223)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
Cool. It's kinda rare for both couples to be a virgin still when they get married. :)
Anyway, my parents are on their way to their 29th anniversary this coming May. And wish my parents could still reach their Golden Anniversary too. According to my Dad, they were high school classmates with my mom. Dad is my mom's first and last boyfriend in her entire life. However, by men's nature, Dad has had a lot of girlfriends before they became officially togehter.
I also remember way back years ago, my mom wanted to divorce with Dad due to Dad's affairs with other women. THose were quite tough times to both my mom and us, children. But eventually, my Dad proved us that he can still change fot the better. And now, we're a happy family, having been able to manage all the tough times we've been through. ANd i do hope and wish they would end up still together til their last breathe. :)
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I'm glad your father stopped having affairs but that has nothing to do with men's nature. That has to do with being faithful and having character and integrity. It takes a real man to remain faithful to his wife. Obviously, your father finally grew up and realized that.
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
13 Mar 07
My parents have been married for 27 years now. We celebrated their 25 anniversary in a big manner. Of course, there were some hard times in the relationship, but generally in India Divorce is not taken until the situation becomes totally unrepairable and thus they stuck together and believe me both have more happy memories than bad ones in their relationship and that is what for me defines a successful relationship.
Cheers!
Ram
@JonCYY (1)
• Malaysia
13 Mar 07
My parents are happily married for 23 years now. Have 3 kids which is me and my 2 sisters. They got to know each other when they were studying overseas in Canada. My dads' from Malaysia and my moms' from Hong Kong. Really a miracle that 2 people so far apart can meet and get married. :D
@whimsystoryteller (1743)
• United States
13 Mar 07
That's great! You have a wonderful example to carry on!
