Woman Smart To Move Away
Dear Ann Landers: When I read the letter from the woman who refused to dump her abusive boyfriend, I had to write. I dated my ex-husband for three months before I married him. He was slick; he never hit me when we were dating. Two weeks after the wedding, he started slapping me around. Then, it got worse.
One night during an argument, he pulled a gun out of his pocket and fired a shot at me. It landed in the wall over my head. I was in shock. He said he wasn’t aiming at me and only wanted to shut me up.
When he left for work the next morning, I called the police and showed them the bullet hole. Now he’s in jail for attempted murder. I moved out of the state so he’ll never find me. I hope that girl listens to you, because it’s only going to get worse. - Concerned
Dear Concerned: I, too, hope she listens. Meanwhile, you were smart to move. He sounds like someone you should stay away from permanently.
Dear Ann Landers: I am a 21-year-old, intelligent, attractive registered nurse and very proud of my accomplishments. By choice, I am currently not in a relationship, which, I am learning, is considered quite odd these days.
Why do some people attach so much importance to having a boyfriend or husband? Apparently, they assume a woman cannot be happy or fulfilled unless she has a man in her life. People who raise an eyebrow at my single status are mildly irritating to me, but I’m sure their remarks are downright hurtful to women who are less secure about being without a man.
Will you please suggest to these well-meaning busybodies that they be more sensitive? Thank you on behalf of my single sisters. - Annoyed in Staten Island
Dear Annoyed: You told them, and I’m sure there are a great many women in my reading audience who are grateful to you for speaking on their behalf. If you read my mail, you would know there are a lot of married women who would happily trade places with you.
Dear Ann Landers: Ever since I read the first letter in your column on how couples met, I have been wanting to tell you about my parents. This is their story.
In October 1956, my father and my mother both lived in Santa Monica, Calif. A friend of my mom’s asked her if she would be amenable to a blind date. She said she would. My father then called Mom and asked her out for Oct. 25. She told him, “Sorry, I can’t because I promised to help decorate the office for Halloween.” My father almost gave up, but then, Mom uncharacteristically suggested they go out on Oct. 26 instead.
Mom and Dad clicked immediately and had a terrific time. He proposed to her the following night. She accepted without hesitation. They eloped and were married by a minister on Nov. 3, nine days after their first date.
Both my parents came from broken homes and vowed that they would never do that to their children, no matter what. They will be celebrating their 41st anniversary Nov. 3. They had three children but lost one in an accident in 1982. Experts say that the loss of a child either breaks a marriage or makes it stronger. In their case, thank heaven, the latter proved true. - Patricia in Vancouver, B.C.
Dear Patricia: What a beautiful love story. I considered saving it for their anniversary, but it’s too good to keep, so here it is - early - with my heartfelt congratulations.