We were talking about possibly getting married for two weeks. We told my parents and they thought it was sudden but not a bad idea. Mom had meetings on the day we wanted to do it but we were going to work around them.

However, after more discussion, we decided it would be better if just Eric and I went. His parents couldn’t be there because I was not about to have his mother anywhere near my family and he didn’t want her ruining our day. I didn’t want to rub it in his face that my family could be there and his couldn’t. My parents were okay with it as long as we had an actual wedding later.

On Tuesday the 20th, we got our marriage license. We managed to get down to the building to get the license at exactly 2:22pm. It took all of 20 minutes filled with strange questions about who our parents were and where they were born. It was surreal and strange. Then we went to my grandfather’s heart appointment, where he, grandma, mom, Eric and I all shoved ourselves into an exam room to discuss his possible bypass surgery. We drove the nurse crazy. Grandpa did decide to have the surgery, though. All in all, a good day.

On Wednesday the 21st, I called every judge on the list to no avail. Except one. We made an appointment for 1:30 the next day. PROMPTLY at 1:30. The lady made sure to repeat that 3 times.

On Thursday the 22nd, we got up early to get ready to get married. Why the 22nd? Because 2/22 is an awesome anniversary. 2/22/2007 is even cooler. So, we got up early, got out and bought my ring at a store who’s address was 2220. If I thought the license process was surreal, this was just nuts. I was so nervous. Honestly, more nervous than I’ve ever been for anything. Eric was completely calm, which made me even more nervous.

We made it to the courthouse with 30 minutes to spare. We parked with 10 minutes to spare. We went to get out of the car and Eric asks, “Have the rings?”
“Yes. Here’s yours. Here’s mine. In my purse,” smug, I was.
“The license?”
“Uhhhh…No, do you?”
“NO! SHIT!”

So we took off for home – the entire drive we spent calling ourselves raging fucktards. We got there about 1 minute before 1:30 and there was the license on the table. Staring at us. I called the judges office and explained our predicament. “We got all the way to the office and realized we didn’t have the license.”
“YOU DON’T HAVE A LICENSE?!?”
“No, no, no. We have the license we just forgot to bring it with us. Is there any way to reschedule?”
“Um…hold on.”
Picture here, Eric and I pacing back and forth, white as sheets, completely freaked out and feeling like idiots.
“Ma’am?”
“YES!” I think I may have screamed that…
“He can do it tomorrow at 1:30.”
“NO! I mean…we won’t be here. Can he do it tonight? After hours?? PLEASE?” You should have heard the desperation in my voice. It wasn’t pretty, but I’ll be damned if my anniversary was going to be on 2/23.
“Hold on…”
More pacing and praying.
“Okay, but be here promptly at 3. AT THREE. PROMPTLY at THREE.”
“THANK YOU!”

We spent the next 30 minutes or so trying to decompress. I laid down in the bed and forced myself to breathe. And right as I calmed down…we had to go again.

So, off we went. Parked with 15 mins to spare, got down to the office with 5 mins to spare. Some other couple was just leaving. Apparently, the judge had mistaken them for us. They weren’t us. I wasn’t leaving. I was prepared to chain myself to the door, if necessary. Luckily, the judge was perfectly okay with it. So in we went. A little paperwork, we handed him our rings, he had us stand by his bookcase – Eric to his left, me to his right. It HAD to be that way. He was a nice, humorless man who needed us to be exactly the way he asked us to be throughout the ceremony.

And it began. Everything was wonderful. Eric said during our vows was the first time I ever made and maintained eye contact with him since he’s known me. I don’t believe him but it was incredibly moving. It’s definitely one of the best memories I’ll ever have.

So now I’m a married woman. I don’t feel much different but I love being able to say Eric is my husband. My wonderful, sweet, strange, loving husband.