If you’ve been following this three part series, you’ve been with me as we progressed from Making Marriages Last: What’s It Going to Take? My Interview with Mrs. Hawes to Married to a Ghost Hunter: My Interview with Mrs. Hawes – The Questions. Now we’ve reached the end, the part where we get some answers.
Acknowledgment
But before you read Mrs. Hawes’ response, bear this in mind: all relationships encounter outside influences. Some are small, some are large, some don’t make much impact, some can be catastrophic.
Mrs. Hawes is an amazing, ultra-supportive wife who should be applauded. In the pursuit of his passion, her husband has brought into their marriage a potentially hazardous obstacle: the outside world –via a little thing called television.
But as you will see when you read her answers, their foundation is laid so well fame hasn’t disrupted it. I hope you’ll glean some inspiration from her wisdom as I did.
In Her Own Words
Jason and I have known each other for about 20 years, we met in Jr. High. I think at first it was pretty innocent, no expectations just a date to the movies. We must have went on like that for a year or so and never really got too serious because we hung out with two different kind of crowds. We became friends and spent time getting to know each other. Maybe that is what led to such a strong connection.
We dated on and off for years and never seemed to not be in touch with each other. I have to say that now when I think back it is like a connection we shared, a true soul mate. As a senior in high school I found out that I was pregnant. Not sure how this was going to fit in to my plan of college, I was devastated. After many hard years of work and lots of patience with each other, we have been married for seven years and have five great kids.
I have to say that the last few years have been the best for us as far as our relationship. A lot of that has to do with the fact that in 2003 I was very sick and in a coma. This was very hard on my husband. Not only did he face the fact that he had three children at home and may have to raise them alone but I might not wake up. The world changed for us after that. We live everyday like it is our last and try to enjoy more of the little things. After suffering the way he did I can see how truly important I am to him and never doubt his love.
I am certain that our fate was decided long before we knew but now we are sure. This person (my husband) is truly a part of my soul and we are so deeply connected that I cannot dream of ever being with out him. Not to say that we have not had hard times, we have. My best advice to any person just starting out in marriage is to hang in there. You must be committed to the relationship to make it work. Always talk to each other and most importantly don’t forget to listen. We have learned that first hand. Love alone will not make a marriage strong.
With five children and Jason so busy with his work it is hard to find family time, but I have to say the simple joy of seeing him live his dream is enough for the children and I. We will do what it takes to make it work. I think the hardest thing for me as a woman married to a “TV star” would be the critics. I take stuff more to heart than he does. I know him and that the trash talk is not true but I still find it hard to ignore.
Someday the TV show will be over and the radio show will be off and we will have time to spend alone. He will be able to live a normal life and maybe even just ghost hunt for fun. His never ending quest to find better evidence will never stop I am sure. We will be able to raise our family and enjoy life for the simple pleasures and look back at the wonderful people he met and the great chance he was given.
With Deepest Appreciation
My heartfelt thanks goes to Mrs. Hawes for agreeing to share this with me so that I could share it with you.
Questions to Readers
When I first read her answers, they brought tears to my eyes. I thought what she had to say was beautiful, insightful, and well put. Especially that a marriage needs more than love alone –it takes work. But not just work, also friendship.
I was also amazed she had been in a coma and near-death, but had pulled through. And that because of that she never doubts Jason’s love. (This is the part that had me nearly weeping.)
What did you take away from it? Did anything stand out to you? Can you say that you never doubt your husband’s love by pointing to some circumstance in particular that makes you feel that way? Would you agree that commitment is an underlying theme running throughout her advice? Would you agree commitment is one of the key components to any successful marriage? And what about friendship? I believe this, too, is a must have for any lasting bond. You?