Marriage | The TaterTwins

Married to the Marine Corps #marriageops

7 Mar posted by Jayme

I’ve been a military wife for a long time now, and I’ve watched so many relationships fail where the couple blames the service. It’s hard- it’s very hard to be a spouse when your loved one is deployed. Never knowing when you’ll get that next phone call, raising the kids alone, far away from family. Then the readjustment period when they come home- that’s tough too. You envision happiness and bliss but suddenly you have someone else telling your kids what to do, throwing a wrench in your routine- someone who just came back from war and has to learn how to fit back into their own family. But there are resources out there for us- to help out. Ask your command about spouse and family groups and talk to the Chaplin about couples communication courses and retreats.

And of course, check out the following- this is such a great organization!

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Filed Under: marriage, military

Staring at the ring around your finger

20 Nov posted by Jayme

When Aaron and I got married back in 2000, he’d never worn jewelry before, and was hesitant about getting and wearing a wedding band. We’d opted for cheaper silver rings because we didn’t have much money and we weren’t sure how often he’d wear it.

Eleven years later, he says he feels naked without it on.

We eloped, and we always talk about renewing our vows someday. I’d love to buy him a nice tungsten wedding ring for that if we ever get around to it. He loves how the black ones look. I know he’d totally think that the one in the picture is awesome- he’s got a thing for carbon fiber.

I was surprised at the affordability and variety of the tungsten mens rings. They look so expensive!

I’d love to get the inside engraved with maybe our wedding date. Or perhaps a quote, although I have no idea what one I’d use. I read that it’s very popular to have the the tungsten carbide wedding rings engraved.

They are never supposed to scratch, which is a huge bonus for a man who works with his hands. While he doesn’t wear it while working on the aircraft, he still has his ring on when he does stuff around the house.

Someday maybe we’ll have a real wedding. While I never regret marrying Aaron, I do sometimes think back and wish that we’d at least taken a couple photos on the day we got married. Lili’s recently asked to see photos of our wedding and I had nothing to show her. We also didn’t have anybody there with us- no family or friends- and that’s another reason I would love to renew our vows. I’d like to celebrate our marriage with those who have supported us all these years.

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Filed Under: marriage, Sp.P. 4 W.

Bling

31 Jul posted by Jayme

Our Rings

When Aaron and I got married, it was rather spur of the moment. We never really were engaged- there wasn’t an official proposal, and there was certainly no ring. In fact, we didn’t even have wedding bands until after we made it official!

So when we chose our bands, it was with a very limited budget. I ended up with a cheap plain silver one that I wore for several years. I really didn’t care, I didn’t need something expensive to convey my feelings for Aaron.

A year after our justice of the peace wedding, on our anniversary, Aaron bought me a gorgeous diamond engagement ring. It may have been late, but it was a unexpected surprise. Our anniversary is 10 days before Christmas, and we had previously discussed only getting each other small simple gifts that year- so I was so shocked to open it. I’d bought him a CD case for the car and spent a whopping $10!

I love my ring- it’s set in platinum so it looked fine next to my silver band. It has an princess cut diamond with a few little ones on each side in the band. It’s totally something I’d have chosen for myself. It’s not big or pretentious, and it doesn’t stick up too high- I don’t like rings that do because they get caught on things and scratch the babies.

A few years after we were married, we were wandering around the mall and we noticed these black wedding bands- made from titanium. Aaron instantly loved them! We ended up getting him one for a Valentine’s Day gift one year.

While he was in the store, he noticed a band with inlaid diamonds that was quite similar to my engagement ring. Since the coordinated perfectly, he ended up upgrading my little silver band with the new diamond anniversary band. I love it- it’s got 13 little diamonds in it and 13 has always been my favorite number!

We obviously didn’t follow traditional wedding and engagement etiquette. I think if I had gone look at loose diamonds and pick out settings, I would have been overwhelmed with options and cost. When it came down to it, I didn’t need a physical item to represent Aaron’s commitment to me. In fact, I haven’t even worn my rings in ages- they weren’t fitting towards the end of my pregnancy with the twins and they’re still a bit tight. I need to get them sized.

What do your rings look like?

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Filed Under: marriage, spon

Romantic Picnics.

29 May posted by Jayme

I guess I’m not romantic enough to understand the point of these. In movies they talk about going on these picnics, with wine and cheese and grapes and whatnot… and it just doesn’t sound fun to me.

First of all, you’re outdoors. Granted the scenery might be gorgeous, but there’s bugs. And you know it will either be too hot or too cold out- or worse, rain. And I know I can only stare a breathtaking view for so long before getting bored (about 30 seconds).

Then there’s the food. Eating isn’t always pretty. How many times have you dropped food down the front of yourself? I guess after having so many kids that I’ve had to feed, the idea of feeding each other doesn’t sound so charming to me.

Aaron and I have very low tolerances to alcohol, so if we drank a bottle of wine or champagne while picnicking, we’d be wasted. So we’d be stuck there, unable to drive home, until we sobered up.

Now you might say, well take advantage of that time alone for some passion. Maybe a decade ago that would have sounded exciting, but if there’s the slightest chance of being caught makes me want to vomit. Definitely not a romantic thought.

We’d just end up talking about the kids, Aaron’s work, and probably World of Warcraft. We’re dorks like that. And you know, we’d both be wishing we were home playing our game, instead of out in the middle of nowhere feeling awkward and forced.

And we can always have a picnic in Azeroth.

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Filed Under: dorks in love, WoW

10 Years!

15 Dec posted by Jayme

Ten years ago, Aaron and I decided pretty much on a whim to get married. I still can’t believe how lucky I am to have such an amazing husband. He’s everything a girl could wish for, and more.

He came home from work this morning (he’s still on nights) at like 4:30-5am and woke me up because he wanted to give me the gift he bought me. He gets so excited when he has a gift for me, that he’s taken to shopping on Christmas Eve otherwise he’d give me my presents ahead of time.

Then a little while later, he went to bed, and when the boys were ready for their naps, he was still sleeping and they curled up with him. Soooo cute!