The Mermaid Theory

I'm a huge How I Met Your Mother fan (and if you haven't already seen it I encourage you to do so). There was an episode where Barney explains the mermaid theory to Marshall. Here is a clip of that specific scene, skip to 0:35 seconds into the video HIMYM Mermaid Theory

Long story short he says that it's only a matter of time before all men see all women as a mermaid versus a manatee. One day a co-worker is a "manatee" and in this case 1 year 3 months and 16 days later she became a "mermaid" in Marshall's eyes.

I think this theory is so funny but also a little true. Eventually when you really get to know someone and you mesh well you start to develop at the very least a friendship. Once that friendship develops you eventually become attracted towards that person. While the show implies that this happens to everyone, I don't believe that is the case. I have male friends that I've known for years, in some cases a lifetime, and I have never had an ounce of attraction towards them. However all of my ex's were at one point my friend and I wasn't (at least in all cases) immediately attracted to them. There was one boy in that group of ex's who was not really attractive at all, but the more I got to know him the more I fell smitten. For me personality comes first and looks second. I'm not going to sit here and say I don't notice his body or smile initially but that's not most important to me. Most of the people I used to date are all relatively good looking men, but had their personality not matched the looks I would have been out the door.

This post is not about cheating with someone you once thought was a manatee and is now a mermaid, it's simply to explore the idea of attraction. I can't think of a time during my married life that I found a man to be a manatee who eventually turned into a mermaid. To be honest I don't spend much time with the opposite sex so that transition wouldn't be too relevant in my life now. I do however feel as though there have been a couple of men who did go through that transition with me, only to eventually become my merman. All in all I think this idea is relateable to all people and interesting to think about with future friends of the opposite sex.
EMM

Young Love

I technically met my husband when I was 7 years old, in the 2nd grade. I grew up with him in all my of classes and throughout high school he was around until sophomore year. Once he moved we reconnected in 2005 through MySpace.

When we reconnected we were both 19 years old. I was a freshman at college and he was in the Navy. We started dating a few months after talking and got engaged a few months after that. If you know me at all, you know I am not a person who makes rash decisions. I am a planner and think thoroughly on my next move before I make it. Marriage wasn't a joke to me, even at 20 years young. Looking back I think "Holy shit we were sooooo young!" but at the time we were ready to take that step. We were (still are) in love, working, going to school and knew it was the right move for us. My parent's initial reaction was shock and concern. They didn't want me to essentially "ruin" my life, not finish college, have kids too early etc... I got a ton of "Are you pregnant?" questions from family and friends. I was even judged by my priest at church which is ultimately why we didn't get married in a Catholic church. I now understand why people were concerned and questioning our decision to marry so young. That being said, I am a very logical person and make decisions that are thought through. I typically not a "spur of the moment" type of woman when it relates to important life decisions, so why would this be any different? At the time I was confused as to why my parents were doubting my judgement. They now realize it was the best decision I could have made.

The truth is, we got married, he continued working and supporting our little family and I graduated from college. I then worked while my husband went to school and we are now both college grads. We both work wonderful jobs, live in a beautiful community and are on our way to starting a family. Life worked out for us. I realize that's not the case for everyone. Young couples can often make rash decisions to get married. Sometimes it's out of necessity, sometimes excitement and sometimes true love. Whatever the reason is it depends on the individuals and their maturity levels. Can they handle life without mommy and daddy? Can they commit to this person for the remainder of their lives? Can they see a future with this person? It's all a case by case situation.

I think about my future children and if my daughter were to come to me at 20 and say "Mom, I'm engaged!" I'd like to think I'd be excited for her but I know I'd react the same way my mother did. Initially concerned, but eventually supportive. All I can say is getting married young means I get to be with my husband longer, which means a longer lifetime of happiness.
EMM