He Picked Love

I couldn't help but ease drop this afternoon at MCL during lunch. An older man, in his 60s, was talking to one of the young high school girls that worked as a waitress.

I don't remember exactly what he was saying, but they were mostly talking about school and her recent accomplishment in DECA. Then he asked if she had a boyfriend.

"Nahhh," she said. "I don't."

"Well, that is okay young lady," he said. "You don't need one of those yet anyway."

Then he went on to tell some "folk tale" about marrying for love or marrying for money. I didn't know where his story was going, but was shocked when he finally said, "So at the end of the day, you can't build a life with love, but you can build a life with money. So marry for money."

My mouth almost dropped.

And then I looked at the man across the table from me. He was shoving meatloaf and mac and cheese in his face. He took a big drink of his Mountain Dew and he smiled.

He married for love.

Because I didn't have ANYTHING to my name when he fell in love with me. I barely even had a working car. In fact, one time my junior year of college- I literally only had 38 cents in my checking account. And nothing in my savings. But hey- I had no credit card debt at all. I was working my ass off to get through school and pay the bills.

I knew he heard the old man's story, so I whispered, "You married for love."

He almost choked on his food and started laughing, "You got that right!"

This picture was taken the first night I took Justin to meet my family. It's crazy, but I truly knew I was going to marry this boy after two weeks of being together. And he told his dad he met his future wife just four days after knowing me. Looks like we both picked love. 

So dear old man, I disagree. You can build a life with love. And the money will come in time and hardwork will get you there- always remember that. But love and money are the same in this sense- if you gamble with either, you will lose it all.

Much love,
Ashley