How Getting Married Changed My Life

It is said and believed that there is a circle of life. We're born, we live and eventually we die. I believe there is more than one circle. There is definitely the first circle-we're born and we do live, but this one, rather than it ending with death, I believe, more or less closes and allows us to be re-born and begin another connecting circle.

As a child, you learn, grow, change and develop into an adult. When adulthood comes, many of us start this second circle with a formal commitment with another human being. For me, that was my husband. Getting married changed my existence-the very core of my being, the way I was to perceive myself.

Until we met, on a blind date that we both set up for ourselves, it was my intention to take over Barbara Walters position. I was more than sure that a journalist of note was who I was born to be. Not even the slightest doubt in my mind. I worked as an afternoon newsanchor at a small, insignificant radio station in the outskirts of the Los Angeles Basin. Then suddenly there was this handsome, down-to-earth man standing at my parents front door.

It may sound odd, even totally unbelievable, but within the confines of our first date (which lasted 14 hours, spanned 2 Southern California counties and in which we both met the entireties of both our families) I decided (and even though I didn't know it, so did he!) that I was going to marry this person. He became my very being. Just like that! My girlfriends were shocked-maybe even a little appalled that I was so sure about someone I had literally just met.

Four weeks later, while sitting on and breaking a rocker in my parents living room, I was proposed too with "How about it?" I asked "How about what?" He sheepishly said, "You know, marry me?"
I accepted. Less than nine months later, we became Mr. and Mrs.. That was just about 26 years ago.
We renewed our vows last year.

I gave up journalism is favor of being a wife, then a mom. He didn't ever say don't write, don't stay in your field. I had just altered my dreams. Preferring soccer games to covering arsons. Taking care of fevers and homes instead of election outcomes. Talking to and being a teacher, rather than interviewing authors, politicians and celebrities.

And now, while my love remains as strong and true as ever, a new circle is "linking" up-where I can now be still Mrs., but also go back to writing. But now the writing is family-based. It's more emotional, deeper and comes more from the heart. It's not better, it's not worse, just different- a reflection on how getting married changed my life into something that until that magical moment, I could never have imagined it ever morphing into.