Read part one here.
Read part two here.
Finally, my shell-shocked brand-new husband came around. And then… he jumped into action. We had to leave New Jersey. We had to move to a cheaper area. He called his brother in law from South Dakota and asked for a job with his construction company.
Early December, we packed everything we owned into my little Ford Escort and my father-in-law’s Ford full size van (not all so different from my current family van) and headed west. We didn’t own much, but we had what we needed. We arrive in Belle Fourche, South Dakota a few days later and moved into an apartment picked out by Blaine’s sister. Rent was 1/3 of what we’d paid for the house in New Jersey.
We settled into life there. South Dakota is my home, and despite being 6 hours away from my parents, it was still home. We found a church, a doctor, and had almost instant friends. I couldn’t find a job in my pregnant state, but I started working a bit for my brother-in-law in his construction office.
I proceeded to have my worst pregnancy ever. I vomited 5-10 times a day for 7 months. My feet swelled. My hands swelled. By 30 weeks, I couldn’t wear my wedding band. I was miserable. Our new marriage was off to a rocky start. I was less than agreeable and I didn’t like my husband very much.
But what a treasure you got after all of those miserable pregnant months. But you didn’t stay in South Dakota : ( Much to our chagrin!!