My husband and I eloped after 7 months of dating
Yep! And 6 out of those 7 months we were long distance and didn’t see each other once while we were both at Army boot camp.
We started dating 5-30-22 and got married 1-1-23. The best day of my life. Ive never wanted to elope, I’d always been thrilled with the idea of having a “beautiful wedding”. Filled with finding the perfect dress, the most gorgeous wedding photos, the yummiest cake, and the biggest diamond ring. I even remember telling my husband while we were at basic training over the phone that I didn’t want to elope, I really looked forward to a big and beautiful wedding one day with him.
However, when we got home after 6 months of talking to each other only 10min-3hours a week; all I wanted to do was marry my best friend. It occurred to me that I looked forward to the materialistic wedding more than the actual marriage part of getting married. I realized that all I wanted was to take part in what God was bringing together, a husband and a wife. My hubby bought a ring shortly after we got back from basic training, however it didn’t come in time for our Disney trip we had planned to go on over new years. All we wanted to do was commit our lives to each other, so he ended up sneaking away from me to pandora in down town Disney and bought another perfect little ring that he proposed to me with that night in California Adventure. 2 days later still on our trip we found a little place to elope. We went home and told everyone the amazing news. I decided to keep the pandora ring rather than the bigger one that my hubby originally bought me, because the pandora one reminds me everyday why we got married so quickly.
Our elopement day was the best day of my life. It was so special with him, me and God being the ones to celebrate with, just like how a marriage should be. It was better than a big materialistic party filled with stress. Instead, it was shared by the only ones who are actually apart of the marriage 🥰
God didn’t design marriage to find your “soulmate”. He designed it as a way to represent the relationship that Jesus has with his followers. Marriage is hard, but it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever been apart of. I knew the moment my husband and I started dating that God was planning on us being husband and wife. So why put off something that you know God is telling you to do? His will is ALWAYS for YOUR benefit and HIS glory, just like my hubby and I’s marriage 🥰
Seven months might sound incredibly fast to some, especially when six of those months were spent apart during intense Army boot camp. I totally get why people might raise an eyebrow! But for us, that intense, long-distance period actually accelerated our connection in unexpected ways. When communication is limited to short calls or letters, every word, every shared thought, carries so much more weight. We learned to truly listen, to value intention, and to build a foundation of trust and understanding that many couples take years to forge. I’ve heard people ask, “How do you know after such a short time?” For us, it wasn't just a feeling; it was a deep, spiritual conviction. The original article mentions God's design for marriage, and that truly resonated with our experience. We felt an undeniable sense that this was God's plan for us, and when you feel that clarity, the timeline becomes less important than the commitment itself. We knew what we wanted in a partner, and we found it in each other quickly because we were both so open and honest about our values and aspirations from the start. After getting back from basic training, the idea of a big, elaborate wedding, which I had always envisioned, began to feel… secondary. The stress of planning, the financial burden, and the focus on aesthetics seemed to overshadow the true purpose of getting married. The image in the OCR, "ELOPEMENT WHY WE DID IT after 7 months of dating," perfectly captures that sentiment. We realized we wanted to celebrate our union, not just put on a show. Our intimate elopement, just the two of us and God, was pure and focused entirely on our vows and future together. It stripped away all the external pressures and allowed us to be fully present in the moment we became husband and wife. Of course, telling family and friends after the fact can be a bit daunting. We shared our amazing news, and while some were surprised, most were incredibly supportive once they understood our 'why.' We actually had a beautiful celebration with friends and family about eight months after our elopement, as hinted by one of the OCR images. This allowed us to have the best of both worlds – a deeply personal wedding ceremony and a joyful gathering with loved ones to celebrate our journey later on. It showed us that you don't have to sacrifice one for the other; you can create your own path. And that Pandora ring? It's more than just jewelry. It’s a constant reminder of that spontaneous, heartfelt proposal in California Adventure and the genuine love that prompted our quick decision. It symbolizes prioritizing true connection over material expectations. If you're dating for a short period and feeling that intense, undeniable connection, don't let societal norms dictate your timeline. Focus on open communication, shared values, and a deep understanding of each other. If it feels right and you've had those crucial conversations about your future, sometimes, the shortest path is the most meaningful one. Our journey proves that a quick start can lead to a lifetime of profound love and commitment.
I have always wanted to elope and just do like a reception kinda thing for friends and family because I feel like it’s such a vulnerable moment and you want it private so you can feel like completely honest with your emotions