So, Is a Marriage Certificate Really Stronger Than Just Living Together?” – The Guys Always Teased Nadia About It

“So, a marriage certificate really is stronger than just living together, eh?” The men at work teased Nadine.

“I wont go to the thirty-year university reunionIll just get depressed. Let the ones who go every year handle it. They dont even notice how much theyve changed,” Nadine snapped into the phone when her only friend, Margaret, called.

“And whats so terrible about how you look now?” Margaret sounded surprised. “We met up five years ago, and you were fine! Have you put on weight or something?”

“Its not about thatI just dont want to go, Rita, drop it!”

Nadine was ready to hang up, hoping Margaret would take the hint and move on to calling others on the list. But this time, her friend clung to her like a bulldog.

“Nadine, our numbers are already thinning.”

“What, has someone passed away?” Nadine flinched involuntarily. She might not consider herself young anymore, but she wasnt old enough for classmates to start dying off.

“No, nothing like thatjust some have moved abroad. The only one we lost was Andrew Bush, and that was twenty-five years ago, when he was still young. Ive told you before.”

“So stop being stubborn. Our whole years getting togetherfour groups, but really only thirty people will come. Didnt you finally marry off your son? Nows your chance to have a bit of fun.”

Margaret kept talking, but Nadines mind wandered back to Andrew Bush. He always had dark circles under his eyes and a heavy gaze, and the lads in their group thought he was weak.

Turns out, Andrew had a weak heart. He studied hard, dreamed of building a grand suspension bridge in his hometownbut never got the chance. And what had she accomplished, Nadine wondered?

Shed fallen for Ian, a construction foreman where she worked after graduation. He was on rotation in their town, then went back home between shifts.

They dated for ages. Ian even called her his wife in front of everyone, insisting a civil partnership proved real lovethat people stayed together out of devotion, not because of a piece of paper.

Then Nadine found out she was pregnantright as Ian failed to return from his rotation. Turned out, he had three children and a sick wife. He resigned without a word.

Nadine couldnt bring herself to demand anything from a man with three kids and an ill spouse.

She quit construction before anyone noticedthough one bloke joked as she left, “So, turns out a marriage certificate *is* stronger than shacking up?”

Nadine didnt care. She found work at a corner shop near her flat, arranged by a neighbour. They agreed shed work two days a week, even after the baby came.

Her mother agreed to watch little Tommysince her foolish daughter had thrown away such a good job!

“You raised me this way!” Nadine finally shouted when her mum pushed too far.

“I hoped youd at least be respectable! I slaved to put you through uni, and you go and”

“Like mother, like daughter. What did you expect?” Nadine shot back, then instantly regretted it.

They hugged and criedbut what was the use? Where could she go now?

So when Margaret called five years later for their reunion, Nadine refused.

Theyd all brag about families and careers, swapping photos while she scrubbed floors in three placesapartment buildings, the school, the nursery. What would she even say?

Or rather, what would they say to her?

For Tommy, shed do anything. He was her only joy.

Especially after her mum, once Tommy started nursery, decided her duty was done. She moved to her sisters village, claiming the city air didnt agree with her.

Then luck struckNadine landed a part-time engineering job, her actual profession. Tommy was in school by then, and she managed everything, even fetching him from after-school club. Some kids envied him.

A colleague later made advances, but she shut him down. Tommy didnt need a stranger in his lifeno replacement for a father, just trouble.

Nadine excelled at work. By the time Tommy grew up, she was earning decently, promoted to full-time.

Yet she always felt lacking, worn down. Dressed plainly, never dyed her hairand after forty, the grey set in.

She believed she didnt deserve happiness, not after being with a married man, nearly stealing a father from three children.

No bright clothes, no standing outlest someone notice her again.

And she no longer trusted happy endings. With so many divorced women around, she was no bettermaybe worse.

But Tommy grew up grateful. Her sacrifices hadnt spoiled him.

He spent summers in the village with Grandma Irene and her sister, helping with everythingdigging plots, planting potatoes, weeding. Come autumn, he harvested and helped preserve pickles and jam.

Strong from childhood, he chopped firewood neatly stacked in the shed. Even her mother admitted now, “What luck, having such a son.”

So what use was a café reunion thirty years after uni?

All these familiar thoughts flashed through Nadines mind in seconds.

Then she heard Margarets insistent voice:

“So, got it? Café opposite the old halls, next Friday at three. Come on, at least Ill have someone to talk to. Youll come?”

Margarets voice cracked unexpectedlyand Nadine, without knowing why, agreed.

“Fine, Ill come.”

Hanging up, she instantly regretted it. She checked herself in the mirror, then grabbed the phone againshed call back, say shed spoken too soon.

But Margarets line stayed busy, and Nadine felt too awkward.

Late that evening, she opened her wardrobe and pulled out the blue dress Tommy had bought for his wedding.

He and Natasha had barely convinced her to try it. Her daughter-in-law had dragged her to the mall, exhausting her with fittings.

Finally, this blue dress pleased everyoneeven Nadine. They found matching shoes, then Natasha took her to a salon for a dye and style.

That was a year ago. Tommy and Natasha lived happily apart now.

Her roots had grown out againwho was there to impress? It felt silly, dressing up at her age.

Still, Nadine styled her hair and slipped on the blue dress hanging unworn. She dabbed on lipstick, then wiped it offtoo bold.

The café buzzed when she arrived. Margaret spotted her instantly. “Nadine! You look gorgeous! Im so glad you came!”

Margaret had softened with age, but it suited her.

They chatted at their table until someone distracted Margaret. Nadine sipped juice, people-watched, and listened to the music

Someone had chosen songs from their student days, when they were young and dreaming of brilliant futures.

“May I have this dance?”

Nadine looked upand recognised him immediately.

Alex Saunders, from the parallel group. Hed married in third yearNadine had fancied him back then.

“Nadine, youre stunning. First reunion Ive attended, and I barely know anyonebut I knew you straight away.”

He offered his hand. Nadine took it, catching Margarets surprised glance as they moved to the floor.

They danced several songs in silence. Then Alex asked softly,

“Nadine, may I walk you home? I should sayIve been divorced for years. But if youve a husband waiting”

He walked her home. Next day, they met againand never parted.

Natasha helped pick her wedding dress and shoes. Shed a bump nowNadine would soon be a grandmother. It felt odd, being a bride.

Natasha whispered, “Nadine, youre beautiful! Tommy and I are so happy for you. Youre allowed to be happy at any ageno law against it.”

Sitting at the wedding table, Nadine glanced at her husband, Alex, and thoughtperhaps she *was* allowed now.

Nadine had finally forgiven herselfand let herself be happy.