How Getting Married Changed My Life

It is said and believed that there is a circle of life. We're born, we live and eventually we die. I believe there is more than one circle. There is definitely the first circle-we're born and we do live, but this one, rather than it ending with death, I believe, more or less closes and allows us to be re-born and begin another connecting circle.

As a child, you learn, grow, change and develop into an adult. When adulthood comes, it is my belief that many of us start a second circle with a formal commitment with another human being. For me, that was my husband. Getting married changed my existence-the very core of my being, the way I was to perceive myself for literally decades to come.

Until we met, on a blind date that we both set up for ourselves, it was my intention to take over Barbara Walters position. I was more than sure that a journalist of note was who I was born to be. Not even the slightest doubt in my mind. I worked as an afternoon newsanchor at a small, insignificant radio station in the outskirts of the Los Angeles Basin. I was in charge of the stations Public Affairs programming. I loved what I did. Then suddenly there was this handsome, down-to-earth man standing at my parents front door.

It may sound odd, even totally unbelievable, but within the confines of our first date (which lasted 14 hours, spanned 2 Southern California counties and in which we both met the entireties of both our families) I decided (and even though I didn't know it, so did he!) that I was going to marry this person. He became my very being. Just like that! My girlfriends were shocked-maybe even a little appalled that I was so sure about someone I had literally just met.

Four weeks later,(and having had a total of 4 dates) while sitting on and breaking a rocker in my parents living room, I was proposed too with "How about it?" I asked "How about what?" He sheepishly said, "You know, marry me?"

I accepted. Less than nine months later, we became Mr. and Mrs.. That was just about 26 years ago.

We renewed our vows last year for our 25th anniversary on what we term our "fourth honeymoon".

I gave up journalism is favor of being a wife, then a mom. He didn't ever say don't write, don't stay in your field. I had just altered my dreams. Preferring soccer games to covering arsons. Taking care of fevers and homes instead of election outcomes. Talking to and being a teacher, rather than interviewing authors, politicians and celebrities.

And now, while my love remains as strong and true as ever, a new circle is "linking" up-where I can now be still Mrs., but also go back to writing. But now the writing is family-based. It's more emotional, deeper and comes more from the heart. It's not better, it's not worse, just different- a reflection on how getting married changed my life into something that until that magical moment, I could never have imagined it ever morphing into.