Nineteen years ago today Jon asked me to be his girlfriend, and I said yes. We were both 14 years old and in grade 9. In all that time, we’ve never broken up or dated other people. I’m not sure that, in and of itself, is terribly remarkable. Many people are happily married for 50 years or more. But I’m still a little surprised that I found my life partner when I was still so young.
I certainly didn’t anticipate that this is where I would be in 2010. Or, at least, I didn’t anticipate that this is where Jon and I would be. I definitely didn’t view him as marriage material on that day in 1991. I didn’t anticipate that he would be the first and only boy I ever really kissed. I wasn’t thinking that far in advance, because I was 14. My big concerns most days centred around whether that skirt made my legs look weird and why my hair wouldn’t co-operate. Also, in a nod to teenage angst, I worried a lot about The State of World Affairs. 14-year-olds can very earnest that way.
Even now, after university and real jobs and marriage and home ownership and babies, I still sometimes think, “I wonder whatever happened to that Jon Strocel guy from high school.” And then I look at the toddler in my lap who is his spitting image and I remember. Life is funny that way. It so often feels surreal that I ended up here, a married grown-up with a children and a mortgage, far removed from that earnest 14-year-old. I’m not sure I’ll ever know how I got here, honestly.
Even if this relationship isn’t quite what I expected at the outset, I am grateful for it every day. I know that I always have someone in my corner. Someone who’s been with me through my entire adult life, and even before it. Jon was there to support me when my dad died, he was my date for the prom, he decided to attend the same university I did, he came and visited me when I ran away to Ottawa for 4 months to declare my independence and he helped me to buy my first car. We have become the annoying couple who finishes each other’s sentences and laughs at our own inside jokes. And I like it.
If life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans, then Jon is my life. As much as I didn’t plan or anticipate this, Jon is part of my reality and part of who I am. Now that we have these children that will always be the case. Looking back, I am grateful for what we have created together. I wish I hadn’t spent so much time worrying about how it would turn out. And I remember all of the moments, big and small, that brought us here. Little snapshots of us, as we were then.
Happy anniversary, Jon. Thank you so much for the last 19 years. I can’t wait to see what the rest of our lives together hold!
PS – I am a finalist in Vancouver Mom‘s Favourite Vancouver Mom Blogger contest! If you’d vote for me (and any other fabulous contestants you read) once a day until May 6 I’d be ever so grateful. 
How sweet!
You were a beautiful bride Amber!
voted too!
Beautiful pictures and very sweet post.
I'm very happy for you both!! Great story!
You got my vote.
Very sweet! And I voted for you, too, although I'm not sure that is politically correct since I'm not even a Canadian, much less a Vancouverite… or is it Vancouverian? See I don't even know
It is Vancouverite. And I say that it's totally cool, because you're voting for your favourite Vancouver mommy blogger and I live here. That's all that counts!
Incredible! I love the similarities in those two pictures.
Happy anniversary
.-= Dionna @ Code Name: Mama´s last post ..The Joys of Breastfeeding a Toddler #4 =-.
WOW. 19 years, that contains so much history!! So many stories in 19 years! Congratulations on finding your love and being in love!!
.-= Mama in the City´s last post ..3 Little Things =-.
What happy photos! Congratulations on your 19 year anniversary, Amber! And a finalist favorite blogger, wow!
.-= Francesca´s last post ..Sunshine =-.
You are both GORGEOUS in that wedding pic (your hair is very sophisticated — so nice). The grad pic made me smile… my dress was green, too.
Congratulations on your long happiness, that is wonderful, truly.
I wanted that certainty as a young teen, but the fellow I was with in highschool turned out to be not nearly as committed as I, even if I thought it was going to be forever at the time. After that I went a little wild for a whole summer, and came back to what I really wanted (stability, a true companion) and that’s been better ever since.
.-= *pol´s last post ..Because Tee asked…. =-.
Congratulations to both of you! There’s a wonderful short story by Gregory Clarke called, “May Your First Love be Your Last”. It may be out of print but makes me cry each time I read it. I send you both that wish.
xo
Congratulations on 19 years together! That is something to celebrate. How amazing
.-= Amber Morrisey´s last post ..Batter-fried dandelions =-.
Congrats on your anniversary! You and Jon have a great life story and I loved admiring your photos. This sentence: “If life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans, then Jon is my life.” — is amazing. Love it!
So cool — and yes, nice that your wedding picture has nothing cringe-worthy in it at all.
I just tried to vote and it didn’t work — get on them!
.-= allison´s last post ..******************Wordless Wednesdays (have gone monochromatic) =-.
Love it! Happy Anniversary …
Amazing! And I thought being with my husband for 12 years was impressive
You guys rock! Happy Anniversary!
.-= mommyingaround´s last post ..Video of 17 month old signing =-.
Wow. I am speechless. Congratulations!
.-= harriet Fancott´s last post ..Geek Speak interview =-.
Happy anniversary! How wonderful to have someone in your corner for so long.
.-= clara´s last post ..LoveHate =-.
I think it's very remarkable and very sweet. And also OMG we had the SAME prom dress. I'm not kidding. The SAME. But I didn't get my shoes died to match…
Wow, 19 years together! Congrats!
.-= Summer´s last post ..Now, It’s Clutch Time =-.
Happy Anniversary Amber & Jon!!
My husband & I have also been together since he was in high school & we went to his prom together. This year will be 16 years!
.-= kelly (@kblogger)´s last post ..Confessions of a Crunchy Mama =-.
happy anniversary. high school sweethearts! that’s awesome. if i was still with my high school sweetheart i would be moving to south africa and living in the most incredible villa. but i would also have also had to deal with cheating and a cocaine habit. interesting how life is isn’t it. i would never have guessed where i am now when i was 14 either.
.-= smothermother´s last post ..Finally Acknowledging =-.
How amazing is that. Being together, staying together is really something to be proud of.
.-= Capital Mom´s last post ..Alfalfa =-.
Wow! This long-lasting happy relationship is something I hear so rarely in my generation (though you guys are certainly a few years younger than me. I’m 43.) That’s so precious.
Wow, that is an incredible story, Amber. I think in order to stay together for so long you guys managed to grow together rather than apart, which is what happens to many relationships that begin in high school. I am impressed by your story! Congrats on 19 years.
.-= Roula´s last post ..Blessed =-.
Heard ‘more than words\’ today and thought of you
.-= Heather´s last post ..No Video Games =-.
Gorgeous wedding photo. And Happy Day. 19 years is something to be proud of!
.-= Ironic Mom´s last post ..Retro Parenting: 5 Fun Phrases Our Parents Used =-.
Happy 19 Years! That’s really quite amazing that you guys found each other so young. It’s neat that true love can really happen in High School.
.-= Marilyn (A Lot of Loves)´s last post ..Scream. Scream. Spit. Laugh. =-.
That is so sweet! You guys are so lucky to have come so far together and still be happy too. What a gift! Old friends are the best friends, and when you marry one? Geez, you’ve got it made!
.-= Melodie´s last post ..Ten Essential Kitchen Tools for Breastfeeding Moms =-.
OMG, I LOVE it! Is that a special flowering bush that you took all your pix in front of? At my parents it was a "snowball bush," and we took prom pix, graduation pix, everything there! I went to my senior prom with the love of my life who would turn out to be my husband, and we'll celebrate 33 years of marriage this summer!
What is wonderful for you and Jon (and the same for myself and my DH) is we grew up TOGETHER, we didn't grow apart! You have a marvelous history TOGETHER!
I don't remember if that bush was special or not. It was at my mother-in-law's old house, and she was an avid gardener. But I don't recall any special significance, to speak of.And that's a wonderful story about you and your husband. It gives me something to look forward to.
You are fortunate that you found each other young, but it’s the good way you take care of each other that keeps you together. And y’all look adorable in those pictures.
.-= Lady M´s last post ..Festival Day =-.
Congratulations! I doubt any boy seems like marriage material at 14, but I can see you’re glad you kept him around.
.-= Fran´s last post ..Cribs Recalled Due to Risk of Collapse =-.