Relax. It’s not as dramatic as it sounds. Ok, well maybe it is but my command from Joi at Rx Fitness Lady today is Throwback Thursday – 10 Years Ago, therefore I’m telling you pretty much the biggest thing that happened to me 10 years ago because, let’s face it, the rest is pretty boring.
In case you have somehow missed the fact that I’m posting here every damn day this week, you can catch up with my video, boobs and hysterical children by clicking on each title. Hmmmm, which will get the most hits?
Now to the task at hand:
Eleven or so years ago I met my husband at a gym. If you know me or read this blog at all then you will not be surprised by that. He left a note on my car (I still have the note and he spelled my name “Ally”) and I called to tell him I couldn’t meet him. Let’s get a few things straight. Back then, he put the YA in PLAY-YA people. He had a reputation around the gym for being a real ladies man. He was also divorced and had a young son. Not exactly what I was looking for in a man. However, he was gorgeous. I mean, drop dead gorgeous. He didn’t let me off the hook with one try so after some insistence, I agreed to go on one date. I actually told my sister-in-law, “I’m just going to date him. I’m not going to marry him!”
Sorry ladies…he’s all mine!
The date was amazing! He was everything I thought he wasn’t. He was so honest and charming and sweet that I instantly fell in love with him. Really, I did. Six months later we were engaged. We planned a wedding in Key West and were giddy with excitement. And then I freaked out. It was three months before the wedding and I just totally freaked! I called the whole thing off (which is no simple task when it’s February and your destination wedding is in May!) and had the hardest conversation I ever had to have with my fiancé. It was U.G.L.Y you ‘aint got no alibi. But I did it and he stuck by me – supported me even! I wasn’t going to rush into this wedding the way I did the engagement just because everything was already planned. Of course it was awful and difficult but it gave us what we needed – TIME.
One year later the wedding was back ON! We had an amazing two weeks in Key West with 30 friends and family. It was one big party and was absolutely the time of my life!
I wish I was there right now! Not a newlywed but on that beach in Key West!
Ten years later (and twin boys!) we’re still together and going strong. Is it perfect? Of course not. But he is my rock. He’s the one who calls me out on my crazy – and trust me people, I need this! He’s the most dedicated, hard working man I’ve ever met (besides my dad) and loves me unconditionally. He even reads all my blog posts…now that is love!
Ten years from now, the only reason I won’t be in jail or a mental health facility will be because of my husband. Thank you sweetie. I’d marry you ten times over again!
What were you doing 10 years ago? Do you think your husband would have married you a year later if you called off the wedding?
Ten years ago, I had three kids under the age of 6! It’s all a blur!
Oh dear Lord!! You’ve probably chosen to block it all out. It’s for the best I’m sure!
I absolutely love this post! What a backstory! This shows a lot about how much you and your husband love one another and that you two were meant to be. I give you credit for being upfront about what you wanted and needed – wedding planning can make anyone crazy!
I have a tremendous amount of respect for what you did and I’m thrilled that such a brave act resulted in what it seems like quite the true love story. Wishing you and your husband many, many years of happiness together!
I’m happy I discovered your blog. You just seem like one of the coolest chicks around.
Awww Melissa!!! Thank you so much! It’s definitely not a traditional love story but it worked for us. I’m SO happy to have met you as you were one of the very first bloggers to read and comment on my posts and then promote me and give me awards, etc. I won’t ever forget that!! Thanks again. This really means a lot!
Allie, I loved this story! Thanks for sharing with us. How brave of you to call off/postpone the wedding and how awesome of your now-hubby to understand and give you the time you needed. And it all worked out perfectly! 10 years ago my husband and I were newlyweds (we celebrated our 10th anniversary in August). Boy does the time fly!
It was one of the hardest things I had ever done up to that point but I knew that I would regret it (and possible ruin two lives!) if I didn’t speak up and do what was right for me. Luckily I picked the right man and it all worked out. It’s funny that we don’t even really think about it anymore…maybe we’re too busy with the kids!!
Happy Anniversary!!! Ten is a BIG one!
Ahh I CALLED OFF MY WEDDING TOO! but it was 6 years ago. and i am no longer with that guy, but yeah, I GET IT. its a very stressful time. but ok lets see 10 years ago i was starting one of my semesters abroad in Florence. So fun to think back, that semester was a blast 🙂
I KNOW!! I was thinking of you when I wrote this and almost included you in it, but wasn’t sure if you wanted it “out there!” Florence? Amazing!!!! I hope to get to Italy someday…ahhhhhh
10 years ago today, I was probably planning my wedding, as we were fairly recently engaged! Aaah, how time flies. Can’t believe we will have our tenth anniversary in July!
That is awesome!!! Congratulations!!!
WOW!!! Im so glad you all made it through! I totally relate to this post because with about two months left until my big day I have thought of calling it off hmmm 500 times!!! LOL
OMG good luck getting through it all!! It will be amazing and, of course, it’s so normal to have wanted to call it off at least 1,000 times by now!! It will be great and you’ll have life long memories.
Holy moly! I can’t believe that story! How crazy! I am so glad things worked out and good for you for standing up for what you thought was best for you in the long run! Glad everything worked out. Also, I love your wedding photo!!!! I just went to Key West for the first time this year and it was amazing. My bridesmaids also wore pink. i think they hated it but looking at your photos reconfirms that it is a great color for a beach wedding because it really pops!
Thanks Britt!! It was such a perfect place to get married. I can’t take any credit for the bridesmaid dresses. My SIL picked them out & I loved them!!! They definitely made the wedding POP!
You tamed the gym stallion! Get it, girl! 😉 It took a lot of courage to hold off on the wedding. I know lots of people who rush into it and it was just too much too soon. My husband and I dated for 3.5 years before getting engaged. I knew I loved him and wanted to spend the rest of my life with him 2 weeks into our relationship. But I thank sweet Baby Jesus and the heavens above that we didn’t get married within those 3.5 years. We had lots of kinks to work out of the relationship.
Ha ha!!! I love it! Yep I definitely tamed him!! Yes I’m all for “working out the kinks” as I wanted this to be forever! So far, so good!!
Aw, I love it. Ten years ago I was working my first job out of college and had a last minute position switch within my company because some guy yelled obscenities at his boss and his high-powered accounts were transferred to me. And my husband was on the other end of one of those high-powered accounts. I just didn’t know it for several more years. I didn’t call off a wedding but we had this wild cross country relationship and we called that off, only to reunite years later.
Romantic.
Ah the twists and turns of romance! It’s what makes it fun!! To look back and say “wow, I can’t believe we made it” is such a wonderful thing.
10 years ago I was wearing a dress made out of pink tissue paper and having a helluva a great time celebrating an awesome woman with her amazing existing family and her amazing new family. 😉
Love you more then my luggage!!!! Shout out to Johnny LOVE!
Love love love this post. Very courageous of you to call off the wedding despite the plans already made…a very mature move too. Your story is a testament that what will be will be…and never judge a book by it’s cover. He’s very handsome indeed. I love how you use a fun, (dare I say) less than flattering pic to claim your man (sorry ladies..he’s all mine). lol. He sounds like a wonderful guy. Loved your wedding colors…and love the happy progress.
I absolutely believe that my hubs would still marry me if I called the wedding off…especially if things progressed as quickly. Our snail dating took us 5 years and a break up to get to the alter.
So right Hope!! I was judging him from afar and from his rep and I had it ALL wrong. It was a life lesson. The picture of him was a total joke. That was his first drink of the night and he was totally sober. He’s such a goof ball that I knew he would want me to use something funny!!
I’m SURE you husband is a smart man and would wait forever for YOU!! Snail dating is the way to go!!
WOW! What an incredibly hard thing to do. But it was obviously the right choice. I really commend the maturity that must have taken and the ability to just let go of what other people would say/think. I have such respect!
Thank you so much for saying that. The hardest phone call was to my dad and then my bridesmaids – it was very difficult to tell people – the words “awkward” and “embarrassing” come to mind. I’m glad I did it though. Sometimes I think I had more strength and character back then. The kids have worn me down!!
Mmmm…good question but I’m pretty sure he would have waited for me. I love your story! I bet things are better because you waited. Being a stressball Iisn’t the best way to spend married life.
Definitely would not have been a good start. I’m glad I waited and I would do the same exact thing all over again. Thanks!!
I need to email this post to a few scary folks who think that because the wedding plans are underway they have to ignore their worries and jump the broom anyway. That was super bold of you! How about I laughed out loud at “U.G.L.Y…” That was super duper throwback! Lol. #mbc
Please do!! It’s so much better to put on the brakes & be sure!! I mean, it IS the rest of your life after all…what’s one more year? I also like to double up on the throwbacks…U.G.L.Y – ha ha ha!!
And yet again you prove you got the cajona’s! Wow – that is impressive. I met the hubs and we moved in quick but didn’t get married until about 2 years after we started dating. I agree time is worth it. I vote boobs gets the most hits too.
Yep, it had to be done! Living together for a while is a must!! Boobs is leading the hits. Shocking.
My husband and I met when we were 19, and dated for over three years before he proposed. If I had called off the wedding after that long together I think he would have been really hurt, but I think he would have stuck around. But I was ready to marry him as soon as we graduated college!
Wow 19!? That’s great. I think I forgot to mention I was 29 at the time so maybe that’s why I being so smart about it!
Now this is a sweet post and an amazing story!
Awwww thank you!! I think so:-)
Now dear…I love the post but did you reeeally have to use that picture of me 😉
Btw ladies, I won’t admit this outside of this post but I enjoy reading these responses. This communication will explode in 5,4,3,2…
Love ya hun!
Very clever dear. That is your classic picture face and you know you love it. Love you too…
Wow – incredible story!! I just asked Chris what he would have done if I called off the wedding (we were only engage 8 weeks and I was NOT pregnant!) – he said he probably would have never gotten married because he would have been so dejected (good save!).
So cool that you got married in Key West – I wish I were there right now (any time!).
I’m sure he would’ve waited for you!!! You are definitely worth waiting for!!:-)
Sounds weird to say “Good for you for calling off the wedding to the man you are married to now”, but I will say that ! Sometimes you just need time. When it’s right – as it clearly was and is with you guys – you will weather all the storms! Love that you got married in Key West. Always wanted to go there. You should share your favourite spots!
It’s definitely weird but we don’t even really think or talk about it now. Of course I asked him if he was ok with me writing this!! I will absolutely share some favs of Key West. We returned for our 5 year anniversary and I plan to be there for 10 as well. Good idea!!
Aw! I love this story!! It was super strong and courageous of you to call off your wedding to feel things out a bit more!!I also love that you met him at the gym 🙂 cute!
It worked for us. I’m really proud of myself that I did that. Looking back on it, I still can’t believe it, especially because I know I made the right decision. Thanks Nellie!
Believe it or not Ally (inserts evil grin), I did the same thing 10 years ago, but we didn’t reconcile so I chose not to share that for my throwback. Your courtship sounds amazing and yes I believe that he stood by you because when things seem so good so quick it can be scary. He gave you the time you needed and it all worked out beautifully!
Very funny Joanne (mewhahahaha) and I think it happens more then people think. I am a little surprised that it happened to you so young and that you had the good sense to not follow though. I was 29 at the time so I had a little more “experience.”
I love this post. It takes courage to call off a wedding. Wow that’s some guy you got there. Only true love makes a wounded guy hang in there. Chills.
It definitely took a lot of courage and a ton of confidence on his part!! It brought us closer and made me realize that it was what I truly wanted. Thanks for reading!
Wow. That’s such a great story. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been but I really admire your courage for recognizing that you needed some more time. And it all worked out, right? 10 years ago today, I was freaking out because I was about to get married in 2 weeks and there was still a gazillion things that needed to be done!
Yes, luckily it all worked out. I hope you were able to get everything done in time for yours! I’m sure it went off without a hitch. Weddings are so much work – I’m glad I never have to do that again!
Allie, this is a great story. Good for you for going with your gut and postponing the wedding. I know you must have thought you were nuts but it all worked out for the best, didn’t it?
I was terrified to call off the wedding but even more terrified NOT to! It was a crazy time and it’s hard for me to even think about who I was way back then. But yes, it all worked out and I’m proud of what I did. Thank you!!
I think it’s awesome that you only went into it, knowing for sure that it was the right thing to do!
10 years ago, I was working in PR, and casually dating someone who would introduce me to this guy in October 2003, and whom I married in November 2007. 🙂
Awwwww – are you forever grateful for that introduction or what? I love a good love story!