From Business Insider · Laura Grace Tarpley · · 2m
Living with my in-laws before marriage
Laura Grace Tarpley moved into her boyfriend's parents' house before marriage to respect their Christian values. A decade later, she realised how much that time had given her.
In brief
Laura Grace Tarpley moved into her boyfriend's parents' house before marriage to respect their Christian values. A decade later, she realised how much that time had given her. Laura Grace Tarpley lived with her husband Daniel and his parents before marriage at their request, spending ten months in their home before…
Long distance became unsustainable
Laura Grace Tarpley and Daniel dated during college but lived in separate states: Arkansas and Georgia. After graduating, they maintained their relationship while traveling and living in separate countries.
Their parents objected to living together
When Laura Grace and Daniel wanted to move in together, neither set of parents approved. Both came from Christian families who opposed cohabitation before marriage.
Daniel's parents offered a compromise
Martin and Louise offered to let the couple move into their house with one condition: they could not sleep in the same room. This also meant Laura Grace and Daniel could save money on rent.
Laura Grace had serious doubts
Before moving in, Laura Grace worried she would clash with her future in-laws over daily issues. She also disliked the idea of someone else's religious ideals dictating how she lived.
Most worries turned out to be unfounded
Laura Grace and Daniel ate dinner with Martin and Louise most nights. Daniel watched baseball with Martin while Laura Grace learned the sport and became an Atlanta Braves fan.
She understood her husband better
After ten months, Laura Grace and Daniel married and moved out.Living with him first showed her why he acted certain ways.
“After about 20 meals with his family, I realized they always waited until the sink was full to load the dishwasher.”
The bond mattered a decade later
About ten years after moving out, Martin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.Laura Grace and Daniel moved back in to help.She was grateful she already knew how to live with Louise during this difficult time.
She would not have known Martin as well
Laura Grace realised she would not have gotten to know Martin as well if she had not lived in his home before marriage. The time spent together years earlier made his final weeks more meaningful.
“I realize now that I wouldn't have gotten to know Martin as well if I hadn't lived in his home.”
The key point
Laura Grace Tarpley lived with her husband Daniel and his parents before marriage at their request, spending ten months in their home before moving out after the wedding. The experience brought her closer to her husband and in-laws in ways she had not expected.
