---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They had been married for three days…"
description: "\"“They had been married for three days. Lauren stirred, moving closer to him for warmth. Careful not to disturb her, he drew the satin quilt up around h..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/judith-mcnaught-687_christmas_they-had-been-married-for-three-days-lau_2487082.png"
---

#  They had been married for three days. Lauren stirred…

![“They had been married for three days. Lauren stirred, moving closer to him for warmth. Careful not to disturb her, he drew the satin quilt up around her shoulders. Reverently he touched her cheek, tracing its elegant curve. Lauren had brought joy to his life and laughter to his home.She thought he…” quote by Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/judith-mcnaught-687_christmas_they-had-been-married-for-three-days-lau_2487082.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/judith-mcnaught-687_christmas_they-had-been-married-for-three-days-lau_2487082.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/judith-mcnaught-687_christmas_they-had-been-married-for-three-days-lau_2487082.png)

> ““They had been married for three days. Lauren stirred, moving closer to him for warmth. Careful not to disturb her, he drew the satin quilt up around her shoulders. Reverently he touched her cheek, tracing its elegant curve. Lauren had brought joy to his life and laughter to his home.She thought he was beautiful. When she looked at him, he felt beautiful. Somewhere in another part of the big house a clock began chiming the hour of midnight. Lauren's lashes slowly flickered open, and he looked into her enchanting blue eyes. "It's Christmas," he whispered. His wife smiled up at him, and her answer made his throat tighten. "No," she said softly, laying her fingers against his jaw. "Christmas came three days ago.””

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A brief, tender moment reveals love’s depth, yet timing and reality can thwart romantic expectations.

**In simple terms:** Love is deep but sometimes mistimed.

Key Takeaway

Accept love’s timing, cherish moments.

Themes

romance timing expectation disappointment intimacy

Mood

wistful hopeful intimate

Type

literary romantic

When to use this quote

- holiday gatherings
- new relationships
- confessing feelings
- dealing with rejection

Key Concepts

emotional intimacy narrative tension holiday symbolism

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you reconcile love’s intensity with real-life constraints?
- What does “Christmas came three days ago” symbolize for you?

A Different Perspective

Romantic idealism may clash with practical realities, leading to heartbreak.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/)

## Related quotes

> [“It's Christ­mas," he whis­pered. His wife smiled up at him, and her an­swer made his throat tighten. "No," she said softly, lay­ing her fin­gers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/it-s-christ-mas-he-whis-pered-his-wife-smiled-up-at-him-and-her-an/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“Christmas came three days ago.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/christmas-came-three-days-ago/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“Yes. But…” She stroked the smooth backs of her claws down his arms. “You’ll have to spend eternity making it up to me.” He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/yes-but-she-stroked-the-smooth-backs-of-her-claws-down-his-arms-you/)

[Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/)

> [“Somewhere in the world at that moment, there was a birth, a death, a sunrise, and a sunset. There was despair, and a burst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-kang/somewhere-in-the-world-at-that-moment-there-was-a-birth-a-death-a/)

[Lydia Kang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-kang/)

> [“By the time Christmas came around, while all the other kids made cards, she had me sit in a corner and face the wall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-huang/by-the-time-christmas-came-around-while-all-the-other-kids-made-cards/)

[Eddie Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-huang/)

> [“every Christmas that “came around so quickly” is full of both potential memories and opportunities”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jez-rose/every-christmas-that-came-around-so-quickly-is-full-of-both-potential/)

Jez Rose

> [It was like the beginning of life and laughter. It was the real meaning of the sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/it-was-like-the-beginning-of-life-and-laughter-it-was-the-real/)

[Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/)

> [“There's something about houses that intrigues me. I mean, they're the place where families spend all their time together, making the house filled with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-dean/there-s-something-about-houses-that-intrigues-me-i-mean-they-re-the/)

[Taylor Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-dean/)

> [The fact is that purification and austerity are even more necessary for the appreciation of life and laughter than for anything else. To let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-fact-is-that-purification-and-austerity-are-even-more-necessary/)

[Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/)

> [“And you might also remember you are the greatest healer among us. That is unchallenged by anyone." "I am the greatest killer, also unchallenged."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-feehan/and-you-might-also-remember-you-are-the-greatest-healer-among-us-that/)

[Christine Feehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-feehan/)

> [“But after it's all said and done, don't you want to grow old with your best friend? At the end of the day, that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dannika-dark/but-after-it-s-all-said-and-done-don-t-you-want-to-grow-old-with-your/)

[Dannika Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dannika-dark/)

> [I want a big house with a moat and dragons and a fort to keep people out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-beckham/i-want-a-big-house-with-a-moat-and-dragons-and-a-fort-to-keep-people/)

[Victoria Beckham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-beckham/)

> [“The big house... reminded me of the types of structures you can still see in places like Center City: gingerbread houses, two-story affairs built…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-reilly/the-big-house-reminded-me-of-the-types-of-structures-you-can-still/)

[Gary Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-reilly/)

> [Maybe you can,t buy a big house.. A new car.. A huge diamond ring.. But if you have just one true friend who loves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy/maybe-you-can-t-buy-a-big-house-a-new-car-a-huge-diamond-ring-but-if/)

Cathy

> [ “Downloading's the same as what I used to do. I used to tape the charts of the songs I liked \[off the radio\]. I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-gallagher/downloading-s-the-same-as-what-i-used-to-do-i-used-to-tape-the-charts/)

[Liam Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-gallagher/)

## More by Judith McNaught

> [“What, may I ask, does your one truck contain if not gowns?” Inspiration struck, and Elizabeth smiled radiantly. “Something of great value. Priceless value,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/what-may-i-ask-does-your-one-truck-contain-if-not-gowns-inspiration/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“When she was turning the bacon, he came up behind her, his hands settling on her waist as he peered over her shoulder. “That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/when-she-was-turning-the-bacon-he-came-up-behind-her-his-hands/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“At five minutes to five,Jim walked into Mary's office, wearing his gray sweater and balancing four pieces of birthday cake on two plates. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/at-five-minutes-to-five-jim-walked-into-mary-s-office-wearing-his/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“To have him look at her as if she was a piece of office equipment whose presence offended him but whom he was obliged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/to-have-him-look-at-her-as-if-she-was-a-piece-of-office-equipment/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“Am I to assume the Valerie I was introduced to earlier was the Valerie of our greenhouse notes?” He realized his mistake the instant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/am-i-to-assume-the-valerie-i-was-introduced-to-earlier-was-the/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“How ‘bout some coffee?” Jake said as he hurried over to the coffee pot on the stove and filled a mug with the remainder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/how-bout-some-coffee-jake-said-as-he-hurried-over-to-the-coffee-pot/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“He bowed politely to Hortense, who tipped her head toward the elderly gray-haired lady beside her, who seemed to be dozing, her head drooping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/he-bowed-politely-to-hortense-who-tipped-her-head-toward-the-elderly/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“He finished his meeting a few minutes later and almost rudely ejected his business acquaintances from his library, then he went in search of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/he-finished-his-meeting-a-few-minutes-later-and-almost-rudely-ejected/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“When I’m under stress,” he emphasized, sliding the magnificent emerald onto her finger, “I buy everything in sight. It took my last ounce of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/when-i-m-under-stress-he-emphasized-sliding-the-magnificent-emerald/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [Some people feel love in their hearts, Julie. Some of us feel it all way into our souls. We're the ones who can't forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/some-people-feel-love-in-their-hearts-julie-some-of-us-feel-it-all/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“Lady Thornton, how very good of you to find the time to pay us a social call! Would it be too pushing of me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/lady-thornton-how-very-good-of-you-to-find-the-time-to-pay-us-a/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“The truth is that I want you. I have always wanted you, and you know that.” “I hate that word,” she burst out, trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/the-truth-is-that-i-want-you-i-have-always-wanted-you-and-you-know/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“In some ways it seemed wrong that he lived here now, in this solitary place. At least part of the time he ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/in-some-ways-it-seemed-wrong-that-he-lived-here-now-in-this-solitary/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [“We need to straighten out some personal matters between us. Why don't we do it over dinner tonight?" he suggested. Lauren courteously refused with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/we-need-to-straighten-out-some-personal-matters-between-us-why-don-t/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

> [she kissed him with all the aching longing that being this close to him evoked; she kissed him in all the ways he had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/she-kissed-him-with-all-the-aching-longing-that-being-this-close-to/)

[Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

[Explore all 405 Judith McNaught quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/)

## More Christmas quotes

> [The notion of a non-religious Christmas is ridiculous. But so is the insistence on the part of Christians that politicians and retailers carry out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/the-notion-of-a-non-religious-christmas-is-ridiculous-but-so-is-the/)

[Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/)

> [As we are coming to the end of the year, I want you to forget about the past, the failure, the negative thoughts or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-we-are-coming-to-the-end-of-the-year-i-want-you-to-forget-about/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, toys not included.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-manning/i-once-bought-my-kids-a-set-of-batteries-for-christmas-with-a-note-on/)

[Bernard Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-manning/)

> [May you have the spirit of Christmas which is Peace, the gladness of Christmas which is Hope, and the Heart of Christmas which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/may-you-have-the-spirit-of-christmas-which-is-peace-the-gladness-of/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [To my future children; you will know the true meaning of Christmas just not you get gifts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-my-future-children-you-will-know-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [No sane local official who has hung up an empty stocking over the municipal fireplace is going to shoot Santa Claus just before a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-smith/no-sane-local-official-who-has-hung-up-an-empty-stocking-over-the/)

[Al Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-smith/)

> [A new heart for a New Year, always!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/a-new-heart-for-a-new-year-always/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [Santa Claus has nothing to do with it," the latke said. "Christmas and Hanukah are completely different things." "But different things can often blend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/santa-claus-has-nothing-to-do-with-it-the-latke-said-christmas-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [For Christmas one year I bought my son a BB gun. He bought me a t-shirt with a bulls eye on the back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/for-christmas-one-year-i-bought-my-son-a-bb-gun-he-bought-me-a-t/)

[Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/)

> [“Why did he hesitate? He finally admitted to himself that he was like an American child who was almost completely certain about Santa Claus,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/why-did-he-hesitate-he-finally-admitted-to-himself-that-he-was-like/)

[Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/)

> [There seems a magic in the very name of Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/there-seems-a-magic-in-the-very-name-of-christmas/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [Heaven? Floating about with everyone you ever knew for eternity? Me family does me 'ed in after one day at xmas, I'd rather be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/heaven-floating-about-with-everyone-you-ever-knew-for-eternity-me/)

[Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/)

> [Like everyone in his right mind, I feared Santa Claus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/like-everyone-in-his-right-mind-i-feared-santa-claus/)

[Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/)

> [“I stopped keeping an eye out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve because, when I was five, my mother told me that Santa was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/i-stopped-keeping-an-eye-out-for-santa-claus-on-christmas-eve-because/)

[Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/)

> [On Hanukkah, the first dark night, Light yourself a candle bright. I'll you, if you will me invite To dance within that gentle light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-gordon/on-hanukkah-the-first-dark-night-light-yourself-a-candle-bright-i-ll/)

[Nick Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-gordon/)

[Browse all 5,100 Christmas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“They had been married for three days. Lauren stirred, moving closer to him for warmth. Careful not to disturb her, he drew the satin quilt up around her shoulders. Reverently he touched her cheek, tracing its elegant curve. Lauren had brought joy to his life and laughter to his home.She thought he was beautiful. When she looked at him, he felt beautiful. Somewhere in another part of the big house a clock began chiming the hour of midnight. Lauren's lashes slowly flickered open, and he looked into her enchanting blue eyes. \"It's Christmas,\" he whispered. His wife smiled up at him, and her answer made his throat tighten. \"No,\" she said softly, laying her fingers against his jaw. \"Christmas came three days ago.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Judith McNaught"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/they-had-been-married-for-three-days-lauren-stirred-moving-closer-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Christmas"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/they-had-been-married-for-three-days-lauren-stirred-moving-closer-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/judith-mcnaught-687_christmas_they-had-been-married-for-three-days-lau_2487082.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/judith-mcnaught-687_christmas_they-had-been-married-for-three-days-lau_2487082.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18d/judith-mcnaught-687_christmas_they-had-been-married-for-three-days-lau_2487082.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“They had been married for three days. Lauren stirred, moving closer to him for warmth. Careful not to…” — Judith McNaught",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Judith McNaught",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“They had been married for three...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/they-had-been-married-for-three-days-lauren-stirred-moving-closer-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/they-had-been-married-for-three-days-lauren-stirred-moving-closer-to/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
