Young Love by Amber Watkins

Young Love - this article was written by Amber Watkins for her College English class.

Argil and Virginia Watkins have what it takes to endure all the difficulties that arise during marriage. Marriage at the age of fourteen is very uncommon in our society, but somehow this man and this woman grew together to persevere through the struggles of life. My grandparents are very proud of their history together and are overjoyed to be able to share their story.

It was only by chance that my grandparents actually met. Argil was the driver of one of Virginia’s dates. Neither can recall why he ended up driving Virginia and her date to the movies that night. They met again one Saturday night at the Mulberry movie theater. No one expects to fall in love at fourteen; however, Virginia is living proof that love can and does happen quickly. She was a freshman in high school and Argil was a nineteen-year old boy. They dated for almost a complete year before deciding to elope.

Argil and Virginia had to overcome many adversities even before they were married. On February 4, 1957, Virginia prepared for school as usual, however, she did not actually go. Argil picked her up in Mulberry, along with another couple, to make the sixty mile road trip to Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Their plan was delayed when they had to come back to Fort Smith to have a blood test taken before they could be married. The courthouse had already closed by the time all the blood tests were complete. Argil and Virginia knew that her parents would have the police looking for the two of them, however, they decided to spend the night in Sallisaw.

Early the next morning, they hid-out on an old dirt road until the courthouse opened to avoid the cops. On the morning of February 5, 1957, Argil and Virginia were married in the living room of a local preacher. Next came the most difficult part: going home to face the families.

Before driving home, Virginia called home and found out her father, Amond, was at the Van Buren Police Station filing a report. She called the police station and they persuaded Argil and Virginia to come in. Once they arrived at the sheriff’s office, Argil was thrown in jail for taking a minor across the state line! Luckily, they rehearsed their answers the night before. Virginia told the sheriff, “I voluntarily walked across the bridge.” At this point, Amond took Virginia home, where she received a good whipping.

Argil was in jail for three hours before the sheriff finally released him. Amond was determined to have the marriage annulled since she was simply too young for marriage. The following evening, Argil came to see Virginia and Amond decided to let them “try” married life.

Married life was more than either of them expected. They were both young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. Virginia adjusted easily to the physical duties of a wife as she had been cooking and cleaning for several years. However, Argil and Virginia quickly realized they were unprepared for the financial issues of life. Nothing came easy for the two, but they always made the best of what was available. Now, forty-six years, five children and six grandchildren later, they are able to look back on their life together and know they achieved the impossible.

They would never advise others to follow in their footsteps, however it will always be the appropriate decision for them. Argil and Virginia Watkins are firm believer in the motto, “Love conquers all.”

At the conclusion of my interview, I realized the only “secret” to marriage is a lifelong commitment of eternal love.