Ready to Renew Vows After Rough 3 Years and an ACU Courthouse Wedding!!

by Ashley B.
(North Carolina, USA)

My husband and I have been married for a little over 3 years. We are happy as ever together and have developed a stronger bond over these rough few years.

We met during our Advanced Individual Training in the Army. I wasn't looking to fall in love but he was something different. When he first approached me, I turned him down. He was persistent and waited to go on a real date with me after a month of me only talking to him on the phone. We look back and laugh about it now.

We officially dated for about a month and began to feel more strongly towards each other. That was more than either of us were expecting. I knew I was falling in love with him but I was scared to say it and so was he. One day he finally text me, in Pig-Latin, I think I'm falling in love with you. I felt my heart drop, my stomach filled with butterflies, and my eyes had teardrops falling. I knew then it was going to last.

We went out with one of his friend's one night a couple days later. They got up and walked away and left me sitting at the table alone for about 30 minutes. I was trying to figure out what was going on when they both finally came back. His friend pulled out his phone and started recording and my husband (boyfriend at the time) looked so nervous and scared, I laughed at him and asked what was going on. He then asked me to marry him and I was so happy!

After a month of being engaged, we got married! It was at the courthouse and we were in our military uniform (ACU). It went really fast and there wasn't many people that supported us. All we had was each other and a few people who knew and saw how in love we were. We both had some people in our family that was not supportive of our interracial marriage. That made it hard but now everyone accepts both us on each side of the family as if we were their own.

Our marriage has been full of trials and tribulations. After our first year of marriage, he was sent to Afghanistan for a year. When he came home, he was different and so was I. We both had PTSD but different forms. His PTSD and insomnia was really severe. We both had to go to counseling and even had to separate for a few months. We had reached rock bottom and did not know if we would make it.

We held on to our love and I can happily say that after all that, we are more connected and in love than we ever have been. We have developed a deep emotional bond and strengthened our love to where nothing can break us. He is my everything and I love him more than anything!

That is our story and I hope you liked it! Our story has made us decide that on our 4 year anniversary a renewal of our vows would be perfect. We need ideas for keeping it on a budget but have the most amazing celebration! I want my dad to walk me down the isle in the most elegant gown and have my husband waiting at the end and in aw of how beautiful I look. We have decided to write our vows this time. We are also trying to find a good location between North Carolina and Louisiana to have the ceremony. I am also looking for a photographer to do pictures. How early should we send out invites? I am so lost on how to plan it all.

If you know any websites or stores to get wedding stuff cheap please don't hesitate to send me an email at bourgeoisashley@gmail.com! I would greatly appreciate it!