jeff and i met on the playground.
i was in fourth grade.
he was in fifth grade.
i was digging holes in the dirt.
he was doing lord knows what.
i knew about him-his DAD was his TEACHER. and that was really cool. (i was NOT cool)
but you know, i was in fourth grade. i was on his sisters softball team. (i begged for the team to be called the purple unicorns but the blue dragons won out. whatever.)
then i moved away. onto another elementary school. and we didnt meet up again until 9th grade.
we were in drama together. a couple plays together.
i thought he was so cute. and he was taller than me. double bonus.
but i never thought he would like me. i thought he was too cute for me.
but we were friends, kind of. in that nervous flirty weird way.
then we both started mock trial.
and we got partnered up.
he was a lawyer and i was his witness. we had to practice together. a lot.
we started hanging out more with the team. i was a junior, he was a senior.
one day, after practice, he offered to give me a ride home. another girl on the team also asked for a ride home. as he was exiting the parking lot, he said “okay which way do i go?” the other girl said-if you are going to my house go left. i said, if you are going to my house go right.
he went left. so he could get me alone. i remember in that moment knowing something was going to happen.
he drove me home in his blue honda prelude. and dropped me off. NOTHING HAPPENED.
fifteen minutes later the phone rang. and it was him. and he asked me out on a date. it was my first date. i had just turned 16. we decided to go see home alone. when we hung up i screamed and jumped up and down on my bed.
thats when we began. we have been together ever since, minus a month or two due to stupidity.
we went to prom together. we moved away to college together. and at the end of our first year of college, we got pregnant together. with mckenna. i was 17. he was 19.
when those two lines turned blue in our apartment bathroom with me sitting on the toilet and him sitting in the bathtub…everything turned upside down and right side up all at once.
our parents were PISSED. we were so busted. but we all got through it somehow.
we moved back home. i turned 18. we got married. (in vegas at the chapel of the bells) jeff worked as the overnight security guard for our apartment complex, getting us free rent plus $400 a month. he went to a computer training school during the day. he got his first real job at the tender age of 21. his salary was $21k. we were rich.
then came drew when i was 20.
then came nathan when i was 23.
and then anna when i was 26.
4 apartments and 3 houses in 5 cities. 4 jobs and 8 cars.
15 years later and i look back at where we came from and what we have done to get here and it seems like a miracle. we went from teenagers who knew nothing and had nothing to adults who are doing what they always wanted. we are so lucky that we still work together. that we still need each other.
ive been with him half my life. only him. and i truly truly feel that we were destined for each other. it wouldnt and couldnt have happened any other way.
jeff and tara circa 1993
161 Comments
that’s the sweetest thing i’ve ever heard. i want a story like that to tell someday. you’re one very lucky chick, tara. but i know you know that ( : you guys rock!
erin
This is such a beautiful story! True love!! It was great to hear it!!
(And those pics are so cute!!)
xx
I love your story!!! So sweet!!! I love that you over came so much adversity. My story has some of the same,we married young too and turned up pregnant 3mths after and then gave that baby an Irish twin. We now have five precious souls all but one on BC(the only one we planned I got pregnant the first month! LOL!). My husband too dropped out of collage ,got a job then trained(He bought a suit,drove to Boston and brashly asked for a job that he didn’t have training in. He got it! ) and is now back in school finally finishing. Anyway I loved reading your story it made me so grateful for mine. You always write so real and loving. You encourage a lot of people with who you are.
AWWWW..that is a wonderful story! TFS!
Sue
love it. ive often wondered how you became US. goes to show all you need is LOVE! Thanks for sharing..you made me smile!
Love that story! So awesome! From the pics of you two together you two are still so happy together, beautiful family…thanks for starting my morning with a smile…
Wow! Do you realize what obstacles you have overcome? You have just about beaten every statistic. You also make a gorgeous couple and I love the old photo. I hope you feel like a million bucks, because you have a rockin story to share.
now THAT was one of the nicest happily ever afters I’ve EVER heard! Thank you for sharing
ps- this is my favorite blog post, anywhere, of all time.
oh my. good for you for making it work, you had everything and the world AGAINST you.
Love that story.. and how cute are you too together. You look like you were meant to be together.. and you still do.
How. cool. are. photos.
love it.
Your story truly made me smile! What a great thing to read the first thing on Monday morning…… You can see from all of the photos of you two together, just how happy you are.
whatever you have achieved up to now and whatever you achieve in your future…remember that this is your GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT. a happy marriage and happy children…nothing else really matters does it?
cindy
Such a cute story - and such a cute couple
As the mother of a nearly 17-year old, I put myself in your mother’s place… So glad it all worked out for you, and that you are still so happy 15 years later. Hell, I thought I knew it all at 20 when I met my future husband - and 12 years later it was all over. Who says teenage love affairs don’t last? Two of my sisters are still with their high school loves, 20 plus years later… Thank you for sharing!
I needed that feel good story this morning — thank you so much for sharing!
what a blessing you all have in eachother….thank you for sharing. j
That is truly a beautiful love story, in every sense of the word.
That was such a cute/wonderful love story, congratulations to you both! I love reading how people find their match.
Raw.Real.Tara.
This is why we adore you so much. It is so good to hear these real moments. The photos at the end are priceless. Amazing how you can adore someone you dont know… but then again… we do get to know you from afar which is amazing. This just rocks.
Tawnya
i love your story
(but the first thing i thought when i saw the photo of you two was, ‘holy crap! that looks just like anna!!’)
What a beautiful and touching love story. It’s such a testament to the power of love and what it can bring to our lives.
That is “SWEETNESS” all rolled up into a story…
thanks for sharing it…beautiful!
Tara, I loved reading your story!! So sweet!!
We married young also, so i especially love hearing a nice modern day fairy tale that is still a Happily Ever After!!
Congratulations!!
i can’t think of a better read to start my day. i’m always a sucker for a good story, but make it a TRUE LOVE story, well….
my favorite part is when you wrote how Jeff took the other girl home, so he could be alone with you, dang girl - i got that same whooooosh in my tummy for you like i did when a guy i *really* liked asked me out…
thanks for sharing your story - and your life with us.
here’s to happily ever after. so sweet. and i have to say…that anna-bananna looks just like her momma! great booth pics ;o)
what a fabulous story - i’m only new to finding your blog (ok - so i’ve been under a rock or something) so lovely to hear about the love of your life - my story is sorta similar !!!
“why cant i be you”- the cure
such a sweet sweet story!
Aw suchs…..how precious and sweet!!
i haven’t ever posted here, but read your blog all the time, and completly admire your work, some day i’ll come out there and have you do our family………anyways, our (my husband &i) story is ALOT like yours. pregnant at 17 & 20, my Makenna is 13, married at 18 & 21, then came Madi 9 and life was good, but we always wanted more so Diego is 22mo and our fourth and last is on the way. We’ve lived all over, OK, CO, TX, CO, CA now CO. We always come back to Colorado (friends & family) but I love CA, we were in SF area for 6 years, our longest stint away from CO. my husband works for the airlines so we get to travel ALOT and after years in the financial industry then staying home i am finally doing what i have always loved, besides being a mom, photography. 14 years later we are still together happy as ever and loving life!
Love the story! I know we talked about it during the shoot since John & I are HS sweethearts too - but I love hearing these types of stories! So happy for the two of you! So sweet!!!!
thank you for sharing your beautiful story with us
your story is beautiful!
just like you are.
in that old photo you look identical to your sisters!!!!!
wow!!!! i hope your story is on a scrap page somewhere!!!
tara
wow. what a story.
anna looks just like you in those photobooth pics.
beautiful story…you two were meant to JUst BE….thank you tara
Oh, I loved reading this. So, so lovely. You guys have come along way and turned a terrifying situation (unplanned teenage pregnancy) into a dreamy one (happy, satisfying life). Congrats!
What a great story! I’m so glad everything worked out for you. Definitely a real love story
LOVED that!! Sounds familiar!!
Is there a small child in the corner of one of those pictuers?? 
Reading your story it could have been mine… 25 years ago I married at 18 (hmm yes one day after I turned 18)– but like you I feel it was destiny–
Funny I look at my daughter who at 20 has dated the same boy for seven years and have to remind myself that I am not the only one that destiny shines on!!! lol
It’s so wonderful to look back and see where you were and think about all you’ve been through to get to where you’re standing right now. I’ve been reflecting on our life a lot lately, too.
We weren’t quite as young as you when we got married (we were 22) and no little ones on the way, but we were definitely kids with so much to learn. Thanks for sharing your story and that picture of you two is so fun! Love it! 
Awesome. Simply awesome.
(and minus three kids, similar to hubby and me…)
I loved that story Tara. I’ve been with my husband for soon to be 17 years. We met in high school too. I’m 34, so basically he and I have been together for half of our lives, which stuns me. We’ve had a rocky relationship forever, meaning when we fight, which we can do alot in times of stress, but somehow it has always worked. We are best friends, never let the other get away with much crap…if you know what I mean. We’ve had each other’s backs since day one, even though at times it didn’t feel that way. We compliment each other and are pretty much the only people in the world that truly gets the other one, even if they irritate the living daylights out of the other, lol.
He was my first in so many ways (that one too, lol). I can’t imagine life without him. It hasn’t always been easy by any means, but it’s been so worth it. I told him recently that I owe him my life. And I truly do. Nothing in my world would be the way it is if I hadn’t met him. I thank the universe for him nearly every day (in between the days I roll my eyes at him or wanna ring his neck, lol).
I think it’s very unique nowadays for a couple to meet young and be together for a loooong time. So I admire you guys incredibly. Thanks for that story.
I love a great love story!
That was such a great story. I love story of new beginnings. Continued love and happiness for your beautiful family. Keep the stories coming. I love getting to know who you are and how you became.
Wow - I can really really see the kids in you guys. Anna looks Just. Like. You.
Love this - your we story. Love most “and we have been together ever since” as that’s what I always say about my husband and me. Like a modern day “and they lived happily ever after.” thanks for sharing! tonya
how sweet! thanks for sharing, i LOVE hearing how people met and their special love stories!
I feel the exact same way about my hubby!
Thanks for sharing your sweet story.
You made me cry this morning. Oh my gosh, that was sweet, inspiring, and so real, just a slice of real life. Ya know, it could be a Bon Jovi song. Thanks for sharing that. Thanks for sharing all the slices of your life. I like the peek in.
what a beautiful life. i would totally watch your made-for-tv movie. who would you want to play you and jeff?
So sweet and romantic!!
Love your story, thanks for sharing.
I adore your work ~ so inspiring!
Love this T
OMG. I am over here crying, partly because it’s my emo part of the month but also because that was on of the coolest entries I’ve read. Sniff, sniff. Thanks for sharing.
This was such a joy to read. Thanks for sharing. Just incredible!
brilliant story ~ a keeper to tell the kids over & over! good for you, love a happy ending!!
The sweetest love story EVER!
I *heart* you Tara!
Thanks for sharing your sweet story with us and inspiring me to love just a little more.
Omgosh I am so gonna cry just from pure happiness! IT was great to read your “Us” story! Loved it! I love your picture too! Awwwwwwww. You two are adorable! And look at you with long hair! Gorgeous!
omg, what a FABulous story!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brings tears to my eyes!!!!!!!!! LOVE that pic! =)
that is such a sweet story! i loved reading it.
I love every word of this post. So great. You two are lovely.
did you graduate HS early? Or did you skip a grade? you were 17 at the end of your first year of college? wow.
anyway, it was so interesting to read that story. you guys ARE so cute together. i love it. And i totally see your kids faces in that photo of you guys!
wow!! love it, tara!
that’s a keeper story for your kids to read over and over as they grow up. so happy that you are giving them the best gift ever…a mom and dad madly in love!!
Awwwhhh… I’m such a sucker for a love story!! Thanks for sharing!! sniffle sniffle
Lucky in love!! I knew you both had been together for a while but I didn’t realize THAT long. And look at you now!
I.AM.SO.JEALOUS.
Okay so, I never comment on blogs but I had to post to this one. I love a good romance. Your story was so well written you need to turn it into a page, or at least print it for your kids.
Isn’t it amazing what the power of love can do in your life?
How cute is that story?
Thanks for sharing it…All’s well that ends well…right?
I didn’t think it was possible…but I like you even more after hearing that story.
That is the best story. : )
I loved reading that.
You are so sweet, Tara! Our stories have similarities. I’ve come to realize that while things don’t always go according to my plan and timeline, God’s plan and timing are always so much better. Here’s to another 15!
Love your blog, thanks for being so open. I think all of us women struggle with balance and being happy with ourselves, it’s so nice to feel like there are kindred spirits out there. I also married my boyfriend who I met in 9th grade. We’ve known each other 21 years now and have two kids. We looked at each other last night and said how did we go from being teenagers, to this. Its great and hard and wonderful everyday. I wish for my girls that they’ll be as in love with their husbands 21 years into too. I relate to your story and know that anyone who has that kind of love is living the best life she can hope for. Good for you guys!
How cute are those pics?! We married young too @ 19 and 20. I was ten days shy of my 21st b-day when my oldest was born. Sixteen months later her brother was born. Twenty months later a sister. And almost 3 years after that our only child that was planned made his entrance into our family. I’ve been there…wouldn’t change it for the world though. Happy Monday!
What an incredible, beautiful story… it made me smile. Thank you so much for sharing it! I, too, have been with my husband since we were very young… and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Here’s to many, many, many more years for the two of you!
I just LOVE a great love story! Being so happy in my own marriage, I love to hear how other people are happy in theirs - and how they got from there to here.
Here’s to the rest of your lives together!
-megan from sc,ca
Awwww love the story & the pics (WOW Anna looks just like you!!!). I too am married to my HS sweetheart. We got together at 15 & though there were a few week long breakups along the way we have pretty much been together now 20 years… more time then we lived before we knew eachother. I love that we know eachother so well & still there is the occaisonal surprise.
Moriah
I know others have already said this but you look just like Anna in those pictures:)Or she looks like you I guess:D
Thank you for sharing this. I am a bit older with only one child but remarkably, I can relate. Your children will love this.
awesome story!!!
I love this post Tara. It gave me goosebumps! I can see how in love you are, truly, you were meant for eachother. I love this photo as well, love how you took it, it is sheer perfection. You are one amazing lady!
Hands down the sweetest “how we met” story I’ve ever heard. Destiny is a great thing. Congrats to the two of you, you know how to make it work. Your kids are very lucky to have such loving parents that are still in love.
OH Tara.. I love that story. thank you for sharing.. and I cant believe how much your daughter Anna looks like you here in these pictures..
this is amazing.
amazing.
love that photo.
LOVE…it’s incredible.
Oh my goodness, Anna looks just like you!
Such a happy post, Tara! I’m beaming just reading about the two of you. Yay!
what gorgeous relationship!!
happy anni!
very cool Tara! I love your story!
what an awesome story, thanks so much for sharing!
That is the cutest story ever. =) thanks for sharing.
wicked rad!!!!! love it…such a great story…soooo neded to read it…:)
xo xo xo
m
tara- that is a great story. thanks so much for sharing such a personal story.
oh my… that is a very sweet story. thanks for sharing!!
tara- that is a great story. thanks so much for sharing such a personal story.
Ok, you got me at the “ive been with him half my life”. I am there too and it is the weirdest/happiest/scariest/best feeling in the world. Thanks for sharing your story.
What a beautiful story…Congratulations on finding your true love.
Thank you BOTH for sharing a beautiful story. Thanks for the tears in my eyes. Best Wishes for another 15 years.
beautiful love story!
love those photos too - you guys are hot!
I have chills. Thanks for sharing your inspiring love story. Loved reading it!
chills and tears and more chills and more tears all at once….a truly AMAZING story…thanks so much for sharing! t
Wow! What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing this part of your life with us. Makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside!
So pleased I checked your blog tonight - your story has warmed my heart. Thank you.
OMG…so sweet. I was shocked when I read that you got pregnant at 17. So that’s how you have 4 kids and look soooo young.
I’m getting married in 6 months and I can only hope that in 15 years, I have an equally great story to tell.
Tara,
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I loved reading it! Peace and blessings, Cindy B.
sniff sniff. that was such a cool story.. thanks for sharing. I am very glad for you to have such a good thing.
ps- those pictures! wow!
reminds me somewhat of my husband and i. no one thought we would make it. everyone thought we were getting married after a few months of dating just because i was pregnant, but i wasn’t. we were just in love. and we still are..more so than ever!
AWWWWWWWWWWWWW so romantic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing this SWEET story!!!
Shannon
OMG!! That is soo awesome! I love stories like yours!! My husband and I dated right out of high school, but went our seperate ways for 12 years. I wonder sometimes how it would have been had we married back then because now I am married to my best friend. You guys just show that you CAN make it through the sticky times!!
It is funny that you posted this blog today because last night I was telling my husband all about you. We are wanting to take a trip to California in the next couple of years and I was telling him how I want up a session with you when we do. I then started telling him about your blog and how it lifted my spirits so many days and also gave me great decorating tips.
Cutest love story ever. I married my own high school sweetheart…coming up on 30 years together…there’s something to be said for growing up together
thank you for sharing
Wow. What an amazing story…I am sitting here still drinking it all in. Thank you so much for sharing it - the Universe always gives us what we need, although never in the manner we expect it…
That is one of the most sweetest stories of “us” I have ever read!
110 comments… we’re all romantics. Thank you for sharing your story… it made me smile.
Thanks for sharing. My husband and I will have been married 41 years in the fall. How lucky I am and it’s been worth every up and down. We have two lovely daughters and three grandchildren! Enjoy every moment!
that was awesome, thanks for sharing. looking at your picture is like looking at pictures of your kids
I got all teary eyed!!! That is such a sweet, sweet story
:) 
Thanks for sharing it with us!
I read your blog all the time…but mostly to look at your cool photos. This was my favorite post. What a great love story.
oh i love this! i love YOU 2!!
Your BEST POST EVER!!!!!!!!!
Wow. What a story! Thanks for sharing so much Tara!
WOW! What an adorable story! You’re an amazing woman with an absolutely adorable family! Go Tara and Jeff!!!
Wow, girl. Love your story. This will be so cool for your kids to read when they are older… when they’ll be able to truly appreciate it.
Wow, what a sweet story. Thanks for sharing this with us.
definitely my favourite post of any blog I have ever read!
Amazing story. Prompted me to start writing ours. Been thinking about doing it for a couple months now, so thanks for sharing!
oh i just loved this! read it to my husband. we’ve known each other since i was 15 and he was 17. we were married three days after i turned 21. it’s been three years and i couldn’t be happier.
What a beautiful story! Made me happy to read that today.
And the photo of you 2 is such a treasure, I absolutely love it! Anna looks SO much like your younger self.
what a beautiful story. Your kids will love to read this when they are older. thanks for sharing this, it made me smile!!!
great story thanks for sharing. amazing how much drew looks like you and anna like jeff. nathan and mckenna are just a good combination of the both of you. It is so cool when high school sweethearts works. mine lasted for 12 years and 3 kids, oh well the kids and I ended up better off. congrats on being able to make it work for you, jeff and your kids!!
my parents totally got married at the chapel of the bells!
love the story. those pics are adorable!!
wow. what a perfect love story. here’s to your happily ever after…
Awesome story!!! Thanks for sharing. Cheers to committment!
A perfect love story - thank you for telling us.
I love that story…thank you for sharing it with us! Amazing how life happens.
You have a way with words and film (digital: whatever, you know what I mean)You rock. Loved the story.
Wow. I could cry. You are so blessed. Thank you for sharing.
very sweet, tara! anna looks so much like you from those photo booth pics!!
Hi Tara,
I’ve been reading your blog for a very long time. I am always touched by your stories. After reading your love story I just felt compelled to comment. I too, met my husband and fell in love in high school (1975) and we’ve been married for 27 years. I totally believe in love at first sight! It was so heartwarming to read your story that is so similar to mine. Now, as I watch my own teenagers experience the joy and heartbreak of love it makes me so aware of how real love can be at that tender age. Currently we are experiencing the heartbreak of love at our house and all of those raw feelings that go along with that. Thank you so much for sharing your story; it along with all the posted comments came on a day I really needed to be reminded that when it’s right -it’s right - no matter what!
Thank you again,
Lynn
What a beautiful love story!!! You always tell the story and leave your reader in tears of joy!!
M~
What a fantastic read!! You guys are meant to be! I love the bond you have, you can tell that you are like one, a super strong unit!!
What you have is super special T!
very cool story!
oh my goodness! what a great story…i love that…
My husband and I are also a mock trial-made couple :). Also half of my life with him…it’s good to have such a history with your best friend, no? Great pictures, too! Keep ‘em coming!
I love your story, and your prose reminds me of how I tell ours…. and we too have photo booth pictures.
Thank you for sharing.
hi tara!
i always look at your blog!
and when i saw this photo of you. i though oh my goods her youngest daughter looks so much like her!! it is like i’m seeing the older her.
by the way, your blog is a real inspiration for me!!
greets,
sarah from holland!
I never get tired of hearing this beautiful love story. Those booth pics are THE best!
OMG……….I´m sitting here with tears in my eyes…..I just LOOOOVE you guys from the bottom of my heart *sends a BILLION hugs and kisses*
You guys can be so so lucky to have found each other and those feelings that you have for each other still going strong…WOW, you´re my heroes :))) We can see it in every picture you post and in every word you write about Jeff…and your family…you´re just helplessly in LOVE and this makes me soooooo unbelievably HAPPY for you Tara *hugs tight*
LOVE YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All the way from Germany and back….
damn, this is such a good story…
That is AWESOME (in the truest sense of the word!)
Hi, Tara. I love your beautiful story!! love the cute photos! You look good together!
oh wow!!! thanks for sharing this…
wow, this encourages me so much to write down our story
absolutely heartwarming….thanks
How truly sweet is that!! Thanks for sharing Tara! I just had to comment after reading! I sometimes wish that Dave and I had met when we were in school, just so I could have a story a little like yours! Good on you both for the love you share and that it makes you more of who you are.
We celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary this year and have 4 beautiful girls to show for it, Dave also went through University in this time and looking back it seems that without love all of this would be so much harder.
Thanks again for sharing.
Oh Tara….that is the BEST!
I was just sitting here, reading blogs (up way too late…as my DH is waiting for me, asleep on the sofa)…after reading your story, I look over to my ’sleeping beauty’ and flashbacked to how we became an ‘us’ also.
Thanks for sharing…
(and you two are still super cute)!
hugs-Peg
what a wonderful story!! it just made me smile, you both did well over those years and overcame a lot!
and lol @ the comments you hear when taking all the kids out. with my 5, i hear those comments ALL the time. the trick is to ignore the rude ones and only remember the kindnesses
Your story made me smile and shed a tear! Wonderful! You made your life what you wanted…you go girl! love it!
That is a wonderful story! Your youngest dd looks just like you. I love reading your blog and seeing your work.
That story rocks!! Totally gave me goosebumps.
Your photography is a true inspiration of mine. I’m always saying things like, “lemme do a Tara Whitney shot now.”
Tara,
Love the pictures at the end. So sweet! 1/2 your life. too cool.
Love the story. I can’t believe you were only 26 when you had Ana. Man that makes me feel old.
YOur story is really moved me. I have four kids too. I’m setting up my business little by little. I came to USA and married my hubby who is 6 1/2 years younger than me and Is a white guy(I’m not).
YOur story really inspired me. We all have our own stories. YOu really make me know that with 4 kids, I still can fulfill my goal. (My youngest is 22 months old).
A beautiful love story. I love the photo booth photos. You are so beautiful and to think that you didn’t think he would like you. As young girls, we tend to pick ourselves to pieces. I think it’s amazing that you met your soulmate in elementary school and fate brought you two together again in high school. Yeah, you were meant to be.
OK, posting almost a year later! I thought I’d click on the q&a— just because I’m nosy & feel like a stalker tonight (please don’t take me too serious there!!LOL)
Because of this life you described in this post— I love you even more because you’re real & honest & well like “tara-rella”– I couldn’t compare you to the real cinderella due to your lack of puffy sleeves & glass slippers. Flip flops will do though!
weird, I know!
I could go on, but I’ll spare you! Just, thanks for being you!!
very sweet..u guys were hot! lol