No two relationships, marriages, and unions look exactly the same.
Though meeting the love of your life, getting married, then starting a family together is the cultural norm, marriages, relationships, and families that deviate from that path are just beautiful and loving.
Some marriages happen after a happy couple has already started a family, some decide that their family is complete without children, and others decide to get married despite having serious terminal illnesses that threaten their lives like these two did.
In Lily Friedlander's case, her happy family began before she even met her husband — when she had her son Henry at age 17.
Despite the difficulties and stigmas that come along with single motherhood, she built a happy family all on her own.
But then she met her future husband, proving that happily ever after can be found, regardless of what order you decide to do things.
Check below to see beautiful photos of the happy newlyweds.
[H/T: Revelist]
At age 17, Lily Friedlander had her son Henry and started her own happy family without a husband.
Despite the challenges and stigmas that come along with being a single mother, she was able to find happiness, without the immediate prospect of marriage.
She eventually met and fell in love with Nick Stoner, who was eager to make an important impression in her life as well as her son.
“I was just nervous because I wanted him to really like me.” He explained to Revelist.
The post has certainly done that and then some, receiving thousands of shares and feedback from friends, fellow single mothers and inspired strangers.
“So to those of you who think you've made a mistake, and to those of you discouraged with love, hold onto this: all things are redeemable and everything happens for a beautiful reason. This love story proves it.” Lee pens beautifully in the Facebook post.
Though Friedlander ended up find happiness with her husband, she also stresses that others may be perfectly happy without a significant other in their life.
“I don’t want young moms to think that getting married is the end-all-be-all. It’s just a cool gift that you can have along the way.”
But she did end up finding someone to make her life even fuller than it was before, and Stoner got to become and husband and a father all at once!
The sweet family is an inspiring example that love is possible under any circumstance and that all relationships can be completely beautiful, regardless of the scenarios in which they were formed.
If you support all of the strong single parents out there, make sure to SHARE with friends and family on Facebook.
