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Original poster

If you met your DH very young, for example under age 20

212 replies

Summerbreeze81 · 25/07/2022 20:56

If you met your DH very young, say under 20, did the relationship last?

Do you feel happy that you always had security or companionship, or do you feel you missed out on dating / sex / other life experience?

I got talking to a lady today who met her husband during uni Freshers week at age 18 and it got me thinking. I personally met my DH at 30 so I can’t imagine what being in a relationship with the same person since 18 must be like. But then obviously I never met someone I wanted to spend my life with at age 18, and if I’d settled down with any of the men I’d dated back then it would have been a disaster!

I’m now early 40s for context.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 25/07/2022 20:57

I separated from mine in my late 20s, met at 17ish.

It was a practice marriage Grin

thelastgreatdynasty · 25/07/2022 20:58

I haven't, but I do know someone that has. They met as teens. Marriage ended in their early 40's. No drama, they'd just grown apart. I think it was a long time coming.

yonce · 25/07/2022 21:00

Incredibly happy and married now! Tbh I don't see that I missed out on anything - sleeping around wouldn't have been my thing, and we still go on dates now and we obviously dated when we first met, I think it's amazing. I got to meet my best friend earlier than I hoped and experience life together for longer 😊

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ReeseWitherfork · 25/07/2022 21:01

We had a couple years at 16, a couple years off but very much still in regular contact, and then back together. Think the two wild years off helped. Hoping it lasts… been married best part of a decade with three children now.

Findahouse21 · 25/07/2022 21:01

Met DH when we were both at sixth form. We got together during our first year at (different) unis 16 years ago. Being at different unis and him having a job where he travels regularly means that while we like each other s company, we're also happy to be apart for short periods which I think helps us have quite a bit to chat about.

I lived at home then moved in with him, whereas he lived away at uni with mates. I do regret not living in my own flat or something a little, but it also meant that I didn't have lots of student debt etc, so had it's advantages too

Tittyfilarious81 · 25/07/2022 21:02

Met my Dh at 16 and in my 40s now and still very happily married to him , I've never felt I missed out on anything.

Blacknailvarnish · 25/07/2022 21:02

Met my DH at 17. Still together and very happy at 43.
I mainly felt relieved that I didn’t have to go to rough the trauma my single friends seemed to endure so often. Wouldn’t change a thing!

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 25/07/2022 21:02

Met when I was 16, married him when I was 22, coming up on 39 now, we've been together 22 years and still very happy with each other.

Ringmaster27 · 25/07/2022 21:04

I met my exH when I was 15. Started dating at 16. Got married at 19. Had 3 DCs in the next 5 years. We did separate, but in all honesty, I think the relationship we have now is just proof that we were only ever meant to be best friends.

JustJeans · 25/07/2022 21:04

19 here. We've been together very happily for 31 years.

Iseethesilverlining · 25/07/2022 21:05

Met during first week of Uni, both 17. Married at 21. Have grown up together, experienced everything together, good and bad. He’s my best friend and we’ve enjoyed every minute of 33 years and counting! Wouldn’t have it any other way.

LolaO · 25/07/2022 21:05

Met at 17. Still going strong nearly 18 years later (married, couple of DC etc.) I guess we’ve just grown up together really.

MargotMoon · 25/07/2022 21:06

Met my ex-DH at university. We were 19. Split up 15 years later, shortly after having our DD. We had a lot of fun together in our 20s but weren't really compatible. He has re-married. I don't feel like I missed out on anything as I had sown my wild oats before meeting him, which he hasn't.

JenniferBarkley · 25/07/2022 21:06

We met at 18, the summer before we started uni in different cities. Still happily together 20 years on, married 10 years with small DC.

My parents were similar - met at 19 & 24, engaged within a fortnight, married two years later and happily married for 42 years until my dad died.

In our case, it's worked well - we've really only known adult life as a team and work well together. We never had to merge two different lifestyles or households. For other friends who met young, it's been more difficult if they matured at different rates and grew to be quite different people.

I do think I've missed out a bit on dating etc (first boyfriend) but I have no regrets about that if that makes sense.

chrisrobin · 25/07/2022 21:07

Met DH when I was 19, been together for 23 years & very happily married. I don't think I missed out at all, we have been together so long that I can't imagine being
without him.

Welliesandpyjamas · 25/07/2022 21:07

Met at uni, aged 19. Was meant to be a one night stand but we kept getting drawn to each other. We'd both already had relationships, longish and short, so didn't miss out on 'experience' by getting together so young. I'm 46 now, we've been through lots together, been many places, had 3 kids and have a happy, settled relationship. Can't imagine ever being without each other.

Verbena87 · 25/07/2022 21:07

I was 21, but had one serious boyfriend and several other flings/short relationships before. I’m 35 now and not going anywhere.

Louise0701 · 25/07/2022 21:08

got in a relationship with DH aged 15. Knew each other from 11. 31 now and still very happy; married with 3DC and pregnant again.

no regrets. We’ve been through everything together. We travelled before having our children, partied, dated, did holidays with friends. Don’t feel like I’ve missed out on anything.

my granny met my grandad aged 14 and they were together til he died this year aged 93.

my parents also met at school and have been married 40 years this year.

miltonj · 25/07/2022 21:08

Yep. I'm so glad that I've got all these memories together before we married and had kids. We went through our 20s together and had the time of our lives. Cemented our bond. Wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

2pinkginsplease · 25/07/2022 21:08

Met dh at 19 and I now nearly 46. Been married 22 years and together 26. We have 2 teens and life is good.

I don’t feel ve missed out on anything, we have a good time together.

locomocol · 25/07/2022 21:09

I met DH at 19.5 at uni, loads of my friends met a uni. I didn't feel like I had missed out as I had relationships before obviously not very serious ones. I was never into one night stands though.
We are actually from the same place in London so if it wasn't for that may have broken up during holidays, after uni. I was very aware that we may grow apart as your 20s are quite transformative so we didn't get married until late 20s. Late 30s now & I'm still incredibly attracted to him & love the fact we have a shared history.

Hotenoughtoburnasausage · 25/07/2022 21:09

An old mate of mine met her dh at 12. Married at 16.
Still together just over 50!!
6 dc if I recall!

Whadda · 25/07/2022 21:09

I was 19 when I met mine. Together 22 years now and don’t regret settling down young age all.

OxAl82 · 25/07/2022 21:10

Met my husband when I was 17 and I’m 39 now and we’ve been married 16 years.

Monkeychowder · 25/07/2022 21:11

Met at primary school, me 10 him 11…married him at 21, that was 37 years ago. Never felt like I missed out on anything, still living happily ever after💏

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