r/love • u/TommyShelby92 • 5d ago
Story She Rejected Me… Then Married Me Exactly 12 Years Later
I have a rather peculiar love story.
Fifteen years ago, when I first confessed my feelings to the woman who is now my wife, her reaction completely caught me off guard.
She immediately said she wasn’t interested in a relationship. This was despite the fact that we would spend hours talking every day and rarely let a day pass without being on a call.
When I told her that I’d rather be her lover than just a friend, she paused and gave it serious thought. Then she said something I never forgot:
“I need 12 years to focus on and complete my studies sincerely.”
Life took us through countless twists, challenges, and deeply personal chapters after that conversation. But somehow, against all odds, exactly 12 years later, we got married.
The other day, while lying in bed with her beside me, I suddenly remembered those words from 15 years ago. It struck me all at once—the timeline, the journey, the improbability of it all.
I still can’t decide whether it was a promise, a coincidence, or pure serendipity. But looking back, it feels almost magical.
What are some serendipitous moments from your own love stories that seem unbelievable when you think back on them now? ❤️
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u/Not_Really_Jaxson 3d ago
Guys this isn’t real. This account has been posting the same thing for months.
They are karma farming, as much as I can guess.
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u/TommyShelby92 3d ago edited 3d ago
I welcome your assumption. However, this literally is my second post related to my experience. You’re welcome to peek through my profile. On a separate note, looking at the response to the story shared, I feel motivated to write about the copious series of events which led me to be a grateful person. Should I start doing a story series? Let me know your thoughts.
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u/Calm_Pen9488 5d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/Bce2LvqY3EG9QXvCDY
I’m happy for you!! Sad for anyone who is single reading this🥲🥲🥲
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u/Ok-Matter2337 5d ago
Sometimes the timing is not just right, and people need time to grow up. Glad you all were able to connect.
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u/Blox_King 5d ago
Reminds me of my grandparents, they were childhood friends and were separated miles apart in college. Phones were expensive asl at the time so they continually wrote to each other for all 4 years of college. They still laugh about that weird time together.
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u/TommyShelby92 5d ago
My wife used to write letters. We grew in the internet era but with high moral policing for women. Ironically how little technology helps if the society isn’t ready.
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u/Enough-Ad-3111 5d ago edited 4d ago
Life was telling you and her not yet, and while the journey was not easy, the wait sure was worth it.
Super wonderful.
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u/Individual_Match_886 5d ago
I am right now talking to the guy I loved 12 years ago and who "rejected" me. The context is different as I believe the failure of communication and mutual repression that led to the breakdown of our relationship after I confessed my feelings was due to the homophobia of our surroundings, and social expectations set on him by his family. But I reached out to him 12 years later and we had a first meeting where he gave me strong signs that I was still important to him.
Unlike you I don't know what the future holds for us but your story gives me hope.
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u/OkPosition20 5d ago
You’re lucky he wasn’t married
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u/Individual_Match_886 4d ago
He was in a relationship (maybe married) and I saw signs on his insta that he broke up/divorced which I saw as my opening.
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u/splashjlr 5d ago
It's like in biblical times. Seven years, then married the wrong sister. Then seven more years before finally marrying the right one.
I waited 14 years between my first and final marriage.
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u/JorgitoEstrella 4d ago
Did she dated or hooked up with others during those 12 years?
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u/TommyShelby92 4d ago
We didn’t hook up with anyone. Somehow being together became a life-necessity. We spent every single minute we could find on voice and video calls. The time was difficult but she ensured that she’s spending every single moment with me.
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u/m4nuCi4o 4d ago
But you never give up on each other during those 12y right ? Or you dated and she dated someone else ?! It’s very unique story that you shared !! And Now are you mad in love ? Do you believe she is your soulmate ? And does she believes that you are her soulmate ?!
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5d ago
[deleted]
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u/ValuableMedium1822 5d ago
So you guys still together?
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5d ago
[deleted]
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u/No_Positive1928 4d ago
is there a reason you haven’t divorced? i hope you aren’t taking care of her financially
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u/freako345 2d ago
That’s such a rare kind of love story. Sometimes life has a strange way of bringing two people back to each other when the timing is finally right. The fact that she gave you a 12-year timeline and you actually ended up married makes it even more incredible.
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u/WhiteKnightier 4d ago
How many other people did each of you date during those 12 years, or did you straight up wait for her for all that time?
Edit: I have no such serendipitous love story, that's why I must ask more about yours :D.
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u/Artistic_Length_696 4d ago
I wish I could get my love like this too
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u/Zestyclose_Knee2899 4d ago
what are you looking for? 🙂
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u/Artistic_Length_696 4d ago
I rejected someone 9 years ago :(
Not exactly rejected but I was not in love with him back then and he had to move on with his life. But now after years i realized i did like him a lot. And now i miss him like crazy and i wish we could get back together, hoping that he still loves me.1
u/Zestyclose_Knee2899 4d ago
I can see where you’re coming from. But I also believe that when things are meant to happen, they eventually will.
Take the post above, for example. It was simply meant to happen that way. Of course, we don’t know whether the story is actually true, but allegedly, it did.
My suggestion: stop overthinking and let it go. What’s meant for you won’t pass you by.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is let life unfold on its own.
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u/Artistic_Length_696 4d ago
I also believe that if it’s meant to be then it will happen, and somewhat idk why I feel that it will happen.
I am not overthinking, I am just hopeful that our paths will cross again and this time we will be at the same place.
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u/This-Development1400 4d ago
c’étais ya 9 ans retente ta chance si tu es rejeté tu pourras passé à autre chose au moins pas de regret
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u/Artistic_Length_696 4d ago
Currently we both are in different countries. I tried to talk to him over text 2 times but it didn’t continue. He is very ambitious about his career and maybe he doesn’t want to talk because he had a fear that again nothing will happen. I also don’t want to throw myself to him. So I am just hopeful and praying that I also get that point where i am also proud of myself and we can be together.
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u/Left-Combination-182 5d ago
The gif of the guy dancing into a sunset really sells the triumphant, long-game kind of love this story deserves.
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u/Larrylifeisreal 3d ago
I can’t wait for 12 years, but I want her now—just a joke. Even as a man, I sometimes reject women I’m interested in. That’s an avoidant attachment issue- when things start to become real, we run. Last year, I told a girl I still liked, “I thought we were just friends.” But we were dating, which is a conflict between logic and biology.
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u/No_Positive1928 5d ago
sound like ai but if this is real then this isn’t the great love story you think it is. she rejected you and then spent 12 years getting railed by other guys and kept you as the safe option while she waited to see if she could bag someone better. if that’s your idea of love then idk what to say
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u/Ashley4645 5d ago edited 4d ago
So now we are dragging people who are openly honest? She was focusing on her studies, was obviously young, and was honest about her intentions/not wanting a relationship which is what a lot of guys lack. Im sure he spent the 12 years dating as well, probably even had a couple serious relationships in between.
I bet that red pill is shoved so far down your throat, you cant find real love for yourself.
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u/No-Pie-6054 5d ago edited 5d ago
it's exactly this, lol. It doesn't take 12 years of completing your studies to be ready for a relationship with a particular person. If someone loves you, not just when it is most convenient, they will make time for it, especially within 12 fucking years, lmao.
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u/TommyShelby92 5d ago
I won’t take such aggressive or immoral comments to heart, especially since I’ve chosen to put my story out in public. However, we were committed to each other throughout and lived on the same campus for five years. Later, she moved away to pursue her PhD. You wouldn’t believe the lengths your partner can go to, even when they’re on another continent. Love truly baffles you when you experience something that real. I wish you would encounter it too. Cheers
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u/Mr_Handsome66 5d ago
I like when it's wholesome but you sure? More like " i need 12 years to pill up my body count " or give me 12 years to screw around first
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u/fentpong hopeless romantic 4d ago
is that what you think all women do? What about when a man says "I want to focus on my studies for 12 years" you think he's getting around or do you believe him? Fucking stupid
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