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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsHow long have you and your SO been together.? Rich and I have been married for 47 years, And you?
Deep State Witch
(12,691 posts)We were in a long-distance relationship when we were in college. Once I graduated, I moved to the DC area. He followed me 6 months later. We've lived together since 1992, and got married in 1994.
debm55
(59,311 posts)RainCaster
(13,601 posts)Got married in 1980. It's been a wonderful life with her.
debm55
(59,311 posts)gab13by13
(31,914 posts)It was a snowstorm that day.
debm55
(59,311 posts)MANative
(4,188 posts)Married in 1982. He's sometimes a cantankerous old man, but still worth keeping around most of the time. 😄
debm55
(59,311 posts)FM123
(10,354 posts)Sometimes it feels like a hundred years ago and sometimes it feels like just yesterday....
debm55
(59,311 posts)CanonRay
(16,105 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)woodsprite
(12,582 posts)Started dating when we were 13yo, got married when we were 22. I invited him to our school's "Sadie Hawkins" dance as a first date in 9th grade, and we've been together ever since.
debm55
(59,311 posts)OLDMDDEM
(3,135 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)surrealAmerican
(11,832 posts)... and married 35.
debm55
(59,311 posts)flor-de-jasmim
(2,271 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)LakeVermilion
(1,552 posts)Probably lasted way longer together than anyone would have predicted at the wedding. So, I'm guessing: about 58 years.
I might note that my current friends have indicated that I married up!
debm55
(59,311 posts)Tikki
(15,095 posts)We were married in the Summer of 1967..What was called The Summer of Love.
Were coming up on 59 years this Summer.
The Tikkis
True Dough
(26,342 posts)What do you consider the key to your longevity as a couple?
debm55
(59,311 posts)AllaN01Bear
(29,194 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)friends, activities and you. Enjoy you journey in life, my friend.
AllaN01Bear
(29,194 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)would not divorce. However, they did have 3 kids, That they showed no love to. If I hadn't met my husband, I would have stayed single.
2naSalit
(101,897 posts)46 years ago, still doing okay.
MontanaMama
(24,706 posts)and you didnt even know it!
If only there was a prize with a cash reward for trailblazing! I'd be in a really good place right now!
debm55
(59,311 posts)If I had stayed married, I'd have been made to have a bunch of kids I didn't want and not been able to pursue my artistic nature. It was over when he started making noises about having kids and being a housewife... wasn't going to happen since I had only liberated myself from childhood slavery a few years prior where I was forced to serve as mother to my younger siblings for over 6 six years. They were all on diapers when it all started.. cloth diapers, three kids. That was where I decided I would never have children, before I was ten.
Marriage in my generation was still acquiescence to a form of domestic slavery and I was not going to be a victim as an adult.
debm55
(59,311 posts)2naSalit
(101,897 posts)And glad that you had the ability to adopt. I had wished, for all those years, that someone would have adopted me.
As hard as it has been to be a single woman in the world and trying to earn a living, I'm glad I was able to retain my personal freedom. If that's ever taken from me, I'll simply will myself to die and fuck up the plans of whomever had designs on my life. I'm old and not afraid of leaving this realm.
debm55
(59,311 posts)through early menopause. My husband's family was merciless it getting him to divorce me as I was "barren" . Rich didn't. Both my
adopted son and I were not included in my in-laws estate.
iamateacher
(1,117 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)HappyH
(208 posts)Its cold today so I not taking my socks off to figure how many years that is.
debm55
(59,311 posts)MontanaMama
(24,706 posts)so I guess thatll be 31 years his summer. It has indeed been an adventure!
debm55
(59,311 posts)50!
That sneaked up on me.
debm55
(59,311 posts)Climate Crusader
(162 posts)She was married for 35 years. I was married for nine years. We married each other two years ago. So we've been married 46 years.
debm55
(59,311 posts)Climate Crusader
(162 posts)Turbineguy
(39,957 posts)Got married in 1978.
debm55
(59,311 posts)BarbaRosa
(2,730 posts)married '84. It's been a wonderful ride.
debm55
(59,311 posts)TBF
(36,334 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)Dulcinea
(9,973 posts)We got married 3/22/97, so we're coming up on our 29th anniversary next month.
debm55
(59,311 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)justaprogressive
(6,814 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)Solly Mack
(96,780 posts)Married 35 years.
debm55
(59,311 posts)Together.
Coolgoober
(280 posts)7th grade. We didn't really meet. We just kind of got acquainted through others. We were just friends (I had a crush on her)we would hang out and talk mostly at school. In the summer Between 8th and 9th grade we would talk on phone and sometimes walk half mile to meet each other then we would walk to my house and hang out. We were young and my parents both worked but hey we were just friends, right? Yeah until that one time I walked her home and she kissed me(I was really shy) oh what a kiss. It was a doozy. After a couple more kisses came heartbreak. I went to a different high school. Naturally at that age we kind of just hung out with our own peeps. We still lived a mile apart but it might as well been a hundred. Ok, this is getting really long. I'll try to shorten up. We would see each other from time to time and talk. At the end of 10 grade I got my driver's license. Right of passage, right. I saw her a couple times that summer, even gave her some rides. So when the next school year started I jump on the first opportunity to invite her to a dance, then a party or two and then to my house. More kisses. But she had guys chasing her at her school and I had girls chasing me from my school. So we would go out once in a while and have a blast, but we were not exclusive. Senior year came and people at both our schools knew we were a couple. So we made it official, we were going steady. Then we went to different colleges but I was stubborn, I wasn't letting her get away. Again it was hard and again we dated other people. That didn't last long and we were back together. Then I really threw a wrench in the whole thing. College wasn't for me so I dropped out and joined the Marine Corps. I spent every waking moment with her for the ten days leave I had after basic training. We talked about marriage but nothing definite. Then about five months later after some schooling and I knew where I'd be stationed. I took a 96 hrs leave, flew home asked her to marry me. We got married in fall of 82 so 43 years and counting. Sorry so long but trust me ,I gave you the abbreviated version. Thanks for asking, debm55
debm55
(59,311 posts)for sharing with us. PS. It's not to long of a post.
Mad_Dem_X
(10,170 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)subterranean
(3,753 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)kimbutgar
(27,123 posts)I cant believe Ive been married this long!
debm55
(59,311 posts)Emile
(41,848 posts)Last edited Tue Feb 10, 2026, 01:31 PM - Edit history (1)
We were married in a one room country church on February 14th 1976.
debm55
(59,311 posts)happiness.
RandySF
(83,215 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)pandr32
(14,152 posts)My first was in Canada and lasted 16 years. My current fling has been going on for 25 years.
debm55
(59,311 posts)pandr32
(14,152 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)lucca18
(1,462 posts)We both grew up in New York (20 minutes from each other).
We did not meet until we were both working for the same company in California!
debm55
(59,311 posts)life.
ProfessorGAC
(76,461 posts)Been together since we met on June 2nd, 1978. (It was 11:30pm, by the way. I've always gotten brownie points for being the one that remembered that.)
debm55
(59,311 posts)kacekwl
(9,073 posts)Been together 49.
debm55
(59,311 posts)cloudbase
(6,246 posts)Still going strong.
debm55
(59,311 posts)happiness.
MiHale
(12,890 posts)No wonder were both crazy.
debm55
(59,311 posts)sometimes driving each other crazy. Love ya, deb.
Dorothy V
(502 posts)I still feel his presence. I am sure I always will.
MIButterfly
(2,530 posts)I extend to you my deepest sympathy.
Dorothy V
(502 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)you, my sweet Dorothy V. Love, Deb.
Dorothy V
(502 posts)I know you are right, Love never ends.
debm55
(59,311 posts)Luciferous
(6,578 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)happiness.
OldBaldy1701E
(10,920 posts)We officially wed in 2004, so about to have our 22nd anniversary in a few months.
debm55
(59,311 posts)dlilafae
(399 posts)45 years together, 44 years married.
debm55
(59,311 posts)for 45 years,
retread
(3,912 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)Wuddles440
(2,058 posts)and she was a junior. After I failed to convince her to attend the college that I had committed to, I somehow managed to have her consider one that was acceptable to both of us. Consequently, I made the rash decision to transfer to this institution in the Spring of my freshman year (in hindsight, I would not recommend for anyone to let a romantic relationship determine their choices for higher eduction if they value their emotional well-being, mental health, and career options). Two years after she graduated in1982 we got married (again, not recommended until both partners are mature enough for such a commitment and financially stable). However despite some marital struggles over the years, we've stayed married, raised two wonderful (usually) children, evolved both personally and as a couple, and are happily enjoying our respective retirements together. Must have been fate - which I firmly believe it was so.
debm55
(59,311 posts)together,
Wuddles440
(2,058 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)Endlessmike56
(176 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)continue your journey of love and life.
walkingman
(10,684 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)love , together.
livetohike
(24,193 posts)for 53 years
.
debm55
(59,311 posts)Pisces
(6,196 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)life together.
MIButterfly
(2,530 posts)I'm one of "those crazy cat ladies who's ruining the country with her poor choices." Not really, but you know the stereotypical so-called "old maid."
But I love reading about other people's love stories and long marriages! I guess I'm a bit of a romantic at heart.
Thank you for this thread, debm55; I really enjoyed reading all the stories!
debm55
(59,311 posts)are and you should be proud of that. Many people marry because of other reasons and not on love. I admire you for not giving in to marring because , it's the thing to do.
We love you for who are.
Ninga
(9,010 posts)We met at 16 and went to the Senior Prom together. I am very very fortunate. He is the sweetest.
debm55
(59,311 posts)CTyankee
(68,066 posts)I had had a terrible first marriage and swore never to marry again! He said, very simply, "We can be happy."
That just tore into my heart because after so many years of misery with my ex I believed I COULD be happy again.
This has been the best of my 86 years on this earth.
debm55
(59,311 posts)love, peace and happiness.
onethatcares
(16,979 posts)would be 54 on February 28 this year.
Cancer took her last November
Her birthday is February 13
I miss her more than words can say
debm55
(59,311 posts)you.
MoonlightHillFarm
(83 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)mommymarine2003
(356 posts)My career Marine father had returned from Vietnam and was then sent to Headquarters Marine Corps in DC. While he was at war, we had been living in Spokane, WA, where our relatives lived, just in case he did not return from the war. My future husband's father was career Air Force stationed at the Pentagon at the time. It turned out that my (future) husband's grandparents lived in Spokane, which gave us something to talk about. We started dating in 11th grade. I moved to Stuttgart, Germany for my senior year of high school. My parents allowed me to return to Virginia the 2nd half of my senior year to graduate. I then attended Washington State University, and my future husband transferred from James Madison to Washington State Univ. in 1973. We were married during spring break in 1975. It will be 51 years in April but have known each other for 58 years. How time has flown. We have 3 kids and 7 grandchildren ranging in age from 21 years to 8 months. I feel very fortunate.
debm55
(59,311 posts)Raftergirl
(1,844 posts)he was a good friend of his. They both wanted to ask me out. I would never have even considered going on a date with the council person. H asked me out first and the rest is history.
debm55
(59,311 posts)gopiscrap
(24,680 posts)3825-87867
(1,896 posts)gopiscrap
(24,680 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)lonely bird
(2,872 posts)We dated for 7 years before we got married. I was, how does one say, a bit immature for a few years.
Just recently my wife found a pair of flannel pajamas she was making for me before we got married. The bag had a sales slip from Jo-Ann Fabrics dated 1983. Fortunately, I was able to fit in them (only because I lost 130+ lbs on Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes).
debm55
(59,311 posts)lonely bird
(2,872 posts)We are working on the health part.
My wife has had a rough three years. She had adult scoliosis correction in 2023 and was having pain during recovering. Then she was getting weakness and pain in her right leg. We went to a different surgeon who did an in depth history followed by an x-ray. The scoliosis surgery was done well. It turns out the ball of her right hip collapsed so she needs hip replacement surgery. We keep plugging away.
KPN
(17,311 posts)encompassed here.
So we 46 plus years
and it keeps on getting better.
debm55
(59,311 posts)and your SO, may your both continue your life journey together with love, happiness and good health.
Zackzzzz
(344 posts)As we've lived our lives and we took on new avenues,
we liked doing the same things together.
Like today, we kept bumping into each other in the kitchen,
in front of the fridge..
3825-87867
(1,896 posts)we gotta be doin' something right! LOL(but gently!)
debm55
(59,311 posts)friend.
chouchou
(3,059 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)chouchou
(3,059 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)Vinca
(53,750 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)GentryDixon
(3,141 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)of peace, love, and understanding.
LuckyCharms
(22,408 posts)debm55
(59,311 posts)with love, peace and comfort for each other
CareyOn
(85 posts)We have both experienced some tough and frightening health surgeries and I
can't imagine getting through those times without the mutual support. We usually find a way to laugh through the ongoing pain.
debm55
(59,311 posts)sweetness, Love, deb
Hassler
(4,871 posts)Was our 43rd Anniversary. Unfortunately, she passed away on Jan 9, so our run together was about 46 years.
debm55
(59,311 posts)a blessing to you. Bless you Hassler. Love, Deb.
Hassler
(4,871 posts)IbogaProject
(5,785 posts)We dated and lived togethr for just over 10 years and been married for 17 years now. Been together since our first meeting on a beach trip to Long Island NY, with maybe a handful of days gap to second and third dates, by which time I was staying with her and her lovely cats. I fell for all three at once, as I saw her ability to nurture through them.
debm55
(59,311 posts)together in love, compassion and tenderness.
MustLoveBeagles
(15,738 posts)We married in June 1998.