My Parents Did Not Let a Piece of Paper Define Their Marriage

A few years ago, my mom dropped a bombshell: my parents never actually got married. Yep, you read that right. While I was busy believing in the conventional path of marriage-before-kids, my parents were living proof that this wasn’t the only way to build a family.

Background: My mom had a high-ranking position in the government, and my dad was a doctor. From the outside, they were the epitome of a traditional family. But behind closed doors, they were anything but. They chose to be together without the formalities of marriage, and guess what? It worked wonderfully for them!

This revelation kind of turned my world upside down. All my life, I was under the impression that to start a family, marriage was a prerequisite. No one told me otherwise. And now, looking back, I somehow love that rebellious streak in them. They were way ahead of their time, defying societal norms and expectations. And it seems I’ve inherited a bit of that rebellious spirit myself.

Their relationship remained strong until my dad passed away in 2020. They proved that love and commitment aren’t tied to a legal document. They showed me that it’s possible to carve your own path in life, even if it goes against the grain.

Kids