When we arrived at the hotel, we were still dressed in our wedding clothes. As we were heading off to our room, everyone smiled at us and wished us a good night. It was embarrassing, and I wished we had been able to change into something else before we got there.
The wedding night was just as I had expected. We were finally able to do what we had always been taught was wrong until you are married.
In the morning, I couldn’t believe we were married! We both seemed content and happy to be married. I felt nothing could tear us apart.
The money we had been given from different people for our wedding, Richard took charge of. I didn’t question it since I trusted him. I thought that’s what you do in a marriage. You trust! Besides, I had made a vow in the Temple to obey my husband, so that’s what I did.
(You are not to talk about what happens in the Temple. Even though I made a vow never to tell, I think it’s okay to write about it, since in 1990 they changed the part about obeying your husband. I’m thinking they have changed it because who knows how many women have been abused verbally, mentally, and even physically by making this promise. Even though it’s supposed to be in righteousness. Who is to question what the man does? Is it righteous or not? I am glad they have changed this part. But for me, it came too late.)
Since Richard was from California and I was from Denmark, we decided to see what Utah had to offer. We stayed at different Motels. We had a nice time together.
One morning, when we woke up, Richard said to me, “I finally get to see you without makeup, you are so beautiful! I am so happy you agreed to be my wife.”
It meant a lot to me because I always felt bad about myself when I hadn’t done my hair or put on my makeup. I felt as if our marriage would be a happy one after all.
We saw a couple of museums in Utah. They were all about Mormon pioneers and Mormon heritage. We had a nice time driving around and seeing a few things that are in Utah.
Saturday, October 19, 1985
Sander called. He told me that he had been trying to get a hold of me all week. He said he wanted to congratulate us on our wedding. I asked him why he never came to the wedding, since he had put on a special program before the reception just for him, since he couldn’t come into the Temple.
He had all kinds of excuses. Then he wanted to know how much money we had received for our wedding from friends and family. Then he wanted to know how soon I could mail it to him. I told him we had pretty much spent it on motels on our honeymoon. Then he wanted me to mail him the rest of the money. I told him that was out of the question since I only worked part-time and Richard only made minimum wage.
Sander still tried to convince me that he needed the money more than we did. He didn’t seem to care that we were lucky to make ends meet. I was so frustrated with him. I couldn’t wait to get off the phone!
Monday, October 21, 1985
Both Richard and I had taken the week off for our wedding and honeymoon. It was time for us to go back to work.
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