By Susan Meier
My husband and I are opposites. When we got together, no one was more surprised than we were. My father used to say that it took opposites to make a good marriage. People who could counteract each other…or balance each other. My husband and I certainly fit the bill!
But though Finn and Ellie from Her Summer With The Marine believe they should be the last people to fall in love, they are actually very much alike. So much alike they’re drawn together in their moments of crisis.
It’s Ellie who Finn goes to the night their senior year of high school when his dad kicks him out of the house. And Ellie he comes to nine years later when his abusive father is trying to worm his way back into his mother’s life.
Sometimes we need another person to show us the flaws in our thinking or the perspective of someone more objective than we are to point out the obvious that we’re missing because we’re too close to a situation.
In Ellie’s case, it’s easy for Finn to see that the strain of facing her father’s illness is draining the life from her. In Finn’s case, it’s easy for Ellie to see that he’s stronger and kinder than he gives himself credit for being.
But when unexpected people fall in love, it isn’t all peaches and cream. They face questions from friends and relatives, who are concerned that they’re doing the wrong thing! Lots of times well-meaning friends tell them that they’re headed for trouble! Plus, if you like different things, you may find yourself going your separate ways on weekends.
But what if you don’t go your separate ways? What if finding someone with different hobbies opens you up to a whole new world? Falling for someone you never expect to like (let alone love) can open the door to fun you never expected.
So falling for your opposite might seem foolish on the surface, but different perspectives, new hobbies and new friends might just make it worth it.
Finn and Ellie from Her Summer With The Marine are like that.
So what about you? Did you fall for your opposite? Is your soul mate really the other half to you whole?
To find out more about Susan Meier’s latest release, Her Summer With The Marine, check out Jen’s review for Imperfect Women!
Connect with the Author
A one-time legal secretary and director of a charitable foundation, Susan Meier found her own personal bliss when she became a full-time novelist. Shes visited ski lodges and candy factories for research and works in her pajamas. But the real joy of her job is creating stories about women for women. In her sixty published novels, she has tackled issues like infertility, losing a child and becoming widowed. Her favorite stories are those that inspire laughter through tears. Susan lives in western Pennsylvania with her own hero, their son and two fabulous felines, Sophia Maria Lolita Conchita Chiquita Banana and Fluffy.
I would say yes, my husband and I are complete opposites. I think we compliment each other that way.
My husband is my complete opposite, but we do have some things in common – enough to keep us getting along 🙂
Me and the other half are opposites in so many ways, together we can do a lot more than we could do apart. x
Yes– TOTAL opposites…we used to laugh at those magazine articles that said to run screaming the other way, and even our astrological signs are totally incompatible. However, after 33 years, I think it just might work 🙂
I used to wonder why it seemed that opposite attracted. Don’t you want something that likes you? But the truth is you need that person to help balance you and that why opposites do so well together!
I was originally with someone that was a lot like me and it didn’t work out. My husband now is completely different than me.
We were love at first site. We are very similar on some things and very opposite on others. Not sure if we just picked up one another habits over the years or what . But we do balance each other out (Kim)
I could…and just may…write my own book on how different my husband and I are and how our love has played out. We’re from literal opposite ends of the Earth, completely different cultures, we’re different skin colors, he’s more of a patriarch, I’m a bit feminist LOL. It’s been quite the adventure!
I have fallen for someone who is my opposite in many ways. At first it was a great thing and very exciting. I was shy and insecure and he was able to bring me out of my shell and help me feel good about myself and introduce me to new things. Our differences ended up leading to our split though, because we wanted very different things. I think when finding your “opposite” to complete you, you need to make sure that you are still “the same” when it comes to important things such as do you want kids, believe in marriage, and other issues like that.
I have to admit, we are opposites in many ways. Nicole is so calm and level-headed, I’m the hothead. Together we’re lukewarm!
My Hubs and I are so totally opposite of each other, although I think years of living together has brought us to a more even keel.
We aren’t exact opposites, but we aren’t like two peas in a pod either. I’ve learned to accept his likes much more readily than he has mine. It may be a factor of him being 10 years older and more set in his ways.
i have to admit when i first met hubby i swore there was no way wwe would ever get along. well 25 years later we are still cohabiting very well together so i guess yes is the answer maybe.
Well, I don’t think we are total opposites. When we first met he really annoyed me LOL (and sometimes still does) but I can look past it now 🙂 Either way, he’s my soul mate for sure!
yep! I fell for someone I had no idea I would have. And it is a great feeling
My husband and I have been married since 86. We are complete opposites in many ways. Sometimes I think it’s a miracle we’re together.
My husband and I are opposites, we used to work together – he was hired many years after I worked there. Most did not realize we were married to each other until I became pregnant because at work our jobs conflicted with each other so we fought like cats and dogs there. At home however we get along great.
I was with the total opposite and it didn’t last long.
I would say my husband and I are complimentary, but not opposites. We have a deep-rooted similarity in temperament and thinking that binds us.
My hubby and I are opposites as well. Sometimes it’s a good thing, other times it isn’t.
I’ve always thought at first that we were the same, but then later realize that we’re not at all. It’s ok though. It tends to balance things that way.
My babe and I are some what compatible. We desire the same things. We enjoy doing the same things and we are both home bodies.
North Pole and South Pole at my place. We couldn’t be more different, but we make it work. 🙂
I definitely fell for my opposite. It’s amazing how my husband and I balance each other out.
We can be opposites, but we can be alike in so many other ways. It’s a give and take I think, it’s nice
I fell for my opposite I think it makes life less boring…
As for me.. I feel we are opposite and similar in some way or another. Yet – I think it was perfect. 🙂
I and my DH are similar in some regards and totally opposite in others. I think now after so many years we balance each other out perfectly.
My husband and I are worlds apart in many ways, but similar in others. I think some folks almost fell over when we got married.