Over a year ago, Jesse and I professed our love for each other in a local rose garden in front of our family and friends. We signed the paperwork, partied at our favourite restaurant, and ate wedding cake.
In the following months, we occasionally got asked, “How’s married life?” Well, it’s basically the same as before, after all we were already living together. However, here are some insights into our experience as newlyweds.
1. Things don’t always go as planned
Within weeks of getting married, the building in which we rented a small apartment had a huge fire. The entire building was evacuated and is still being rebuilt. Luckily, most of our worldly belongings (laptops and clothes) only suffered water damage and were salvageable.
2. Being married does not preclude you from moving back in with your parents
I’ve moved back in with my folks a few times but I’m sure they didn’t expect me to be back after marrying Jesse. We called them as our building was burning down and they picked us up from the nearby coffee shop at 6am. We haven’t left since.
3. There’s no one else I’d rather live at my parents’ with
Living with the in-laws is every spouses nightmare, but Jesse has handled it very well. It helps that there is an endless supply of delicious home cooking.
4. I’m glad we didn’t spend all our money on a wedding
We kept our wedding within our means and stuck (more or less) to a budget. We still got our dream wedding but didn’t start our marriage in debt. This has allowed us to purchase our first home and which we will move into soon.
5. Everything is shared 50/50
Unless it’s food. Then it’s on a first come, first served basis and I have no one to blame but myself if I don’t get to the cookies in time.
6. I must not be very maternal
Friends complain about being constantly asked, “When are you going to have children?” after getting married. The subject of children has come up with a few close friends but I don’t randomly get asked by acquaintances or relatives.
7. I get called Brie Mackle less frequently than I thought I would
I kept my last name so I am still Brie Hemingway. There’s only been a couple instances of being addressed as Brie Mackle.
8. Nothing brings me more joy than Jesse being called Mr. Hemingway
Ok, it only happened once. We were checking into a hotel on our honeymoon and I had booked the room. The front desk clerk referred to Jesse as Mr. Hemingway. Take that, patriarchy!
