(Originally posted March 22, 2013)
So what happened between you and Brian after that?
We continued to date and on New Years Eve, at the stroke of midnight, he went to one knee on the dance floor where we celebrated New Years and he proposed to me.
I was shocked, but I was also the happiest woman alive. I accepted immediately.
We were married in February 1991 and did a Mediterranean cruise for our honeymoon.
Three glorious weeks. It was magic. It was a fairytale come true. I was sure that I was with the man that would be my one and only for the rest of my life.
So, what changed?
I should have seen it from the beginning. I guess I was really just a stupid little girl. I mean I was so confident in myself, up to the point I met Brian. For fuck sake, I travelled the world alone and I took pretty good care of myself.
But when I met Brian, I don't know, he made me feel like I could rely on him. That he would make everything right and I no longer needed to be the strong independent woman that I had become. I know I should have been more careful and that I was losing myself, but I didn't care. I wanted someone to look after me.
He told me that I was his wife now and I should act as one. After all I had vowed to love, honour and obey him.
Yes, he actually had those words put in our wedding vows.
He bought us a house in Hamilton, because he didn't want our children growing up in the big city and the commute was only about an hour. He said he would make it home most nights but if he was working late in Toronto, he would stay in my old apartment.
He felt we should keep the apartment for that reason. And I could pop in from time to time if I was in Toronto.
Please don't give me that look.
What look?
That one. I know what you are thinking and I know what others will think, but I was in love. I really was.
He said it would be a good idea to keep my old apartment, so he could stay there on late nights and it would be good for him when he returned from his regular district trips, not to have to travel the extra hour to Hamilton late at night.
It made sense to me. Besides he bought me a car to get around in and I got a job at one of the grocery stores in the chain as a cash register supervisor, so my life was pretty full. I met a few woman in my neighbourhood, joined a bowling league and a book club.
I was becoming a real urban wife.
So how long did this last?
About three years. I kept in contact with Nicki over the years and she would visit me at least once a month and stay a couple days.
I mean, seriously, I thought my life was wonderful. Uncle Peter always praised the great job that Brian was doing. I got to see Zoey at least once a month. I had Nicki and I had a husband who worshipped me when he was at home.
The only problem was, I was not the only one he was worshipping.
