It won't happen to me

They're right, obviously. I didn't want to believe it. I thought my experience would be different.

Ha! People who respond to ads on Craig's List can (and tend to) be flakey. They are interested. They WANT what you're selling. They're coming or they'll call you again .... so you wait. If you're like me, you wait for days.

I've seen the disclaimers on other Craig's List ads that go something like this:
Serious inquiries only! Don't tell me you'll come if you don't intend to. I'll hold said item for one hour. If you do not come, I will call the next interested party, etc ...

NOW I understand why this happened to a person I know. The man was ON HIS WAY to purchase an item. He was half-way there when he recieved a call on his cell phone. The seller informed him that the item just sold. I thought that was a bummer and that he was treated unfairly. Now I see that "its for sale until the cash is in my hand" philosophy is not a bad method.

Looking back

In hindsight, which is always a clear 20/20, I did not have the slightest idea what it was to be married. I was not mentored by a wise and godly Titus 2 woman and my own parent's marriage didn't help me, it probably added to the depravity of what would not be "happily ever after."

I had high expectations. First of all, I expected my prince to BE charming, 24/7. I expected him to live and breathe to desire to be at my side. I just expected him to KNOW and BE what I expected a man to DO and BE.

I'm sure he had expectations too. I would assume he expected me to be his sweetheart and willing lover 24/7. I don't think he expected me to turn into his mother* and demand answers and obedience out of him (where had he been, what happened to our money, TAKE OUT the trash).

* used figuratively

October 6, 1979

Thirty years ago today I walked down the aisle in my beautiful white wedding gown and began what I thought was my "happily ever after."

Standing in the narthex, awaiting just the right moment, My dad said I still had time to not go through with this if I didn't want to. I smiled and told him that I wanted to (get married). He turned to the side, pulled out his handkerchief and dabbed his eyes. I was already in my fantasy world. THIS was the day every little girl dreams of. I was the princess in my own story and my prince was waiting for me at the altar.