Fighting for Love
Monday, February 14, 2011 at 1:06PM | Becks Davis My husband Andy and I have never had it easy. We’ve always had to fight to be together. We didn’t get to date or have a “normal” relationship.
We met and then had a long distance relationship for a year. Everyone thinks that long distance relationships are difficult. Actually, that was the easy part. You know that someone out there loves you but you’re still living your life on your terms. There isn’t any need to compromise. And as anyone can tell you, marriage and coupledom is all about compromises.
That was all about to change.
My beloved cat Slash had died and I called Andy for consolation. Slash was the main thing holding me back from moving to the UK. Well, that and being asked to move there.
Andy brought the subject up during that phone call and I asked him how soon he wanted me in the UK. “Tomorrow,” he said. I replied, “I can’t do tomorrow, how does April work for you?” And that was it.
We had some bumps along the way that go hand-in-hand with moving to a new country.
My lovely Englishman told me that using the tumble dryer (which happened to be in the garage, wtf?) cost something like $9 for each load. I line-dried my clothes for a few months. Flipping through the Sunday Times led to me to an article where I found out he was lying and it really only cost a couple of pence. I never line-dried our clothes again.
As a tourist you are only allowed to be in the UK for six months at a time so I had to return home for two months. During the time I was home, Andy came to visit and I took him on a Las Vegas getaway for a few days. That’s when we got engaged.
After that, I almost didn’t get back into the UK. I was detained at Heathrow for 5 hours and was told that my best hope was that they would let me stay for a day or two before I would be returned to the States at my own expense. And by detained I mean I was put in a room with all the “bad” people. That’s a whole other blog post but due to Andy’s quick thinking they ended up letting me stay.
I planned our destination wedding for 30 people in Las Vegas from the UK. Hello 8-hour time difference! That was fun. I’m still a bit sad that I never got a bridal shower.
I was reasonably happy in the UK but I never felt at home. I longed for Detroit. December of 2008 might just be the worst time in history to have moved to Detroit but we made it work.
Andy had difficulty finding work, mainly because people didn’t understand how his qualifications and experience in the UK transferred over here. Even online applications were problematic, not allowing for British postal codes.
He ended up starting two businesses that keep growing every day. Looking back on it, December of 2008 might have been the best time ever to move to Detroit. We had to think outside the box and make our own future.
We got through all of that but it’s always a fight. We’ve always had to fight to be together and against other people’s perceptions, common sense, immigration, etc. One of us will always be far away from our friends and family.
Yes, I complain about him complaining all the time. Yes, he talks a lot. We see the world through different colored glasses, mine are pink and rosy and his are tinted slightly towards black.
But.
Andy is the most loyal man I have ever met. He winks at me when I need it most. He trusts me and he believes in me. He’s my biggest fan. He makes me laugh. Oh, and the accent is pretty awesome too!
So, this is my Valentine to my husband. I don’t work without you. You make me who I am. Exploring Detroit by myself just wouldn’t be as much fun. I need you. All of this would be for naught without you.
You + me = love worth fighting for.
Reader Comments (17)
Awww, how sweet!
I love this! This is the kind of story I love reading on Valentine's Day. :)
That made me tear up - how sweet! I love you both and wish you a life time of happiness!
You + openness + writing skill = posts worth reading.
After reading this I love you even more than I did on our wedding day (if that is possible). I know I'm not the easiest man to live with but I do love you. If I didn't have you in my life I would never have known what true happiness is.
You are my best friend and the love of my life.
Love you forever even if I don't conform to all the soppy requirements Hallmark Days insist upon.
Thank you all for stopping by and your kind words.
Andy,
I'll take your love everyday, much more meaningful than once a year. I don't want you ever to conform. Except for wearing pants out of the house, that's kind of a requirement. ;-)
I just want to add that there are a lot of people who have to fight for their love much harder than us. Those with a sick loved one and the partners of our soldiers who are literally fighting day in and day out, come to mind.
I hope you all appreciate the special people in your life everyday.
aren't you sweet! nice Valentine to your awesome hubby.
ps~ great pic from Leelanau, you both look great!
Loved it! You two are an inspiration! Struggles not only make us stronger but help us become more grateful for all the blessings (in disguise) that life has. We just need to look around and smile! I am grateful to have met you and have learned many things from you (more than you can imagine). Thank you, Becky and Andy!
This post is a wonderful valentine. It brought a tear to my eye. Yianni and I love you both! xxooo
OMG, this is so sweet it made me weepy. Very touching and personal. Thanks for sharing and best wishes to both of you for joy this and every day.
Margo,
We're so grateful to have you in our life as well.
Schmee,
Thanks! Hope you & your awesome hubby have a great evening.
Kitoula,
Thanks! You guys are the best.
Jen,
You're most welcome & thank you. I hope the best for you & yours too.
you are both so cute!! happy valentines day!
xo
The best things are worth fighting for. We are still fighting forward :) hugs!
Beautiful, Becks. :) Love learning more about you and your past, so thanks for being so open.
This is so beautiful. I love hearing the stories about how the two of you came together. I'm just kicking myself that I didn't see this post yesterday! Hope you both had a great Valentine's!
thanks
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