The Married Student
Andrea Pelose
Issue date: 12/1/08 Section: Bold Miami
Senior Rob Carpenter, now 23, is a geography major who tied the knot Sept. 29, 2007, surrounded by pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, and mums. He is from West Chester, Ohio but currently lives in Franklin with his wife and commutes.
Rob and Amy, also 23, are not Miami Mergers. He met his wife years ago at her church, while accompanying his older brother who was dating a friend of hers. Though they went to separate high schools, they dated for a few summer months, but things did not quite seem to work. Reunited a few years after, Rob started attending the same church again, gave dating another go, and three years later decided to marry.
"Since we planned to live together it was just a matter of taking the next step," says Carpenter firmly. "We knew we were getting married no matter what."
"Honestly I don't think that we could wait any longer. I loved him so much and new he was going to be my husband so I didn't want to wait until we were 'financially stable,'" says the gleeful Mrs. Carpenter.
On top of handling the typical fourth-year graduation crunch and devoting himself to married life, Carpenter also works part-time for an engineering fi rm doing construction testing. Amy also works there as a receptionist when she isn't being a massage therapist. Despite the stressors, Carpenter seems at ease.
"It's more difficult obviously," says Carpenter matter-of-factly. "I can't just call off work because of schoolwork, but having someone there for support helps." Carpenter has encountered little criticism over his decision to get married.
"Most people really don't react strongly to me being married. I spend most of my time with my five brothers and family, not so much classmates. If students on campus know, they usually don't say anything," says Carpenter.
Though some may argue Carpenter is missing the college experience, he says "Campus life just really isn't my style. Don't get me wrong, I do drink on occasion. I'm just not a big partier," says Carpenter. Marriage, in fact, has been something Carpenter has wanted for most of his life.
"It's weird; I know it's like a six-year-old girl's fantasy to have a big wedding and have a big family, but it's always what I wanted," laughs Carpenter, who would like to have anywhere from one to five kids, though they haven't set plans of when to start having them. "And I knew Amy was the woman for this dream."
"Marriage is truly a blessing and I love everyday of it," adds Amy, "Especially when you have a husband like mine."
Carpenter's biggest advice for a successful marriage at any age, spawns from his strong faith.
"The essential thing is putting God first, your wife second, and you third. It's the only way to look at it. Then you can't go wrong," he says.
Rob and Amy, also 23, are not Miami Mergers. He met his wife years ago at her church, while accompanying his older brother who was dating a friend of hers. Though they went to separate high schools, they dated for a few summer months, but things did not quite seem to work. Reunited a few years after, Rob started attending the same church again, gave dating another go, and three years later decided to marry.
"Since we planned to live together it was just a matter of taking the next step," says Carpenter firmly. "We knew we were getting married no matter what."
"Honestly I don't think that we could wait any longer. I loved him so much and new he was going to be my husband so I didn't want to wait until we were 'financially stable,'" says the gleeful Mrs. Carpenter.
On top of handling the typical fourth-year graduation crunch and devoting himself to married life, Carpenter also works part-time for an engineering fi rm doing construction testing. Amy also works there as a receptionist when she isn't being a massage therapist. Despite the stressors, Carpenter seems at ease.
"It's more difficult obviously," says Carpenter matter-of-factly. "I can't just call off work because of schoolwork, but having someone there for support helps." Carpenter has encountered little criticism over his decision to get married.
"Most people really don't react strongly to me being married. I spend most of my time with my five brothers and family, not so much classmates. If students on campus know, they usually don't say anything," says Carpenter.
Though some may argue Carpenter is missing the college experience, he says "Campus life just really isn't my style. Don't get me wrong, I do drink on occasion. I'm just not a big partier," says Carpenter. Marriage, in fact, has been something Carpenter has wanted for most of his life.
"It's weird; I know it's like a six-year-old girl's fantasy to have a big wedding and have a big family, but it's always what I wanted," laughs Carpenter, who would like to have anywhere from one to five kids, though they haven't set plans of when to start having them. "And I knew Amy was the woman for this dream."
"Marriage is truly a blessing and I love everyday of it," adds Amy, "Especially when you have a husband like mine."
Carpenter's biggest advice for a successful marriage at any age, spawns from his strong faith.
"The essential thing is putting God first, your wife second, and you third. It's the only way to look at it. Then you can't go wrong," he says.
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