The stories and experiences shared here reflect my personal journey. I’ve changed names and some details to protect individuals’ privacy. These posts highlight my insights and growth, not to identify others.
Bob & Susan: 7/2021.
Bob and Susan have known each other since they were fifteen. For whatever reason, Susan’s dad did not like Bob. During their Senior year, Susan was in a horrific car accident, resulting in many broken bones in her leg and pelvis. She had to be in a body cast for months. The accident was near the end of the year. Bob had turned eighteen, and Susan was turning eighteen in January.
One night, when Bob went to pick up Susan for a date, her dad met him with a gun and told Bob he wasn’t taking Susan anywhere. As the situation with Susan’s dad worsened, they decided to elope with Bob’s parents’ blessing. Bob borrowed the $40 from a friend. It would cover the marriage license, blood tests, and a hotel. They headed off to a nearby state.
Unfortunately, Bob needed to be 21 to marry without his parents’ permission. They waited a day for Bob’s parents to come over and grant permission.
When they got home, Susan hid in the floorboard of a friend’s truck and drove one way around town while her parents went the other way; her parents were looking for them. With her parents out of the house, Susan and her friends took all her belongings and moved to live with Bob at his parents’ house. Per Susan, “I was 18. I could do what I wanted)”.
Susan’s dad continued to treat Bob poorly. They had a child, and when he was seven, Susan reached out to her mom to see if they wanted to have a relationship with their grandson. They did for a few years, but gradually Susan’s dad became increasingly negative and sarcastic toward Bob. At that time, Bob said, “(he) didn’t have to put up with that shit”. After that, I don’t think they ever had a relationship with Susan’s parents again.
Impression: To me, this is such a great story that I can visualize. I wonder what would have happened to them both, especially Susan, if they hadn’t eloped when they did, which let her get out of the house. Although it’s unfortunate, I think it’s amazing they set boundaries and didn’t let Susan’s dad keep treating him poorly for the sake of their kids.