Jonna and David were recently married, but for some reason her husband continually came home late from work. Feeling stuck in the house and suspicous, one evening she decided to do the laundry. What she found changed their lives forever:
Suspicion Arises
A cute couple from Leesburg, Indiana were recently married, but for some reason, the husband continually returned home from work late. His wife was left feeling unsure about what was going on. She spent much of her time stuck in their house with their newborn daughter. She thought maybe they weren’t enough for him? He seemed to be more interested in work, but maybe it was something else. One day she took a close look at this clothing that was in the family laundry. She was taken aback. It revealed the truth about her husband’s late nights and changed her entire outlook on their future.
Suspicion Arises
Making It Official
Jonna Miller and her husband David were both in their 20s and first began dating in October of 2012. The following year during Thanksgiving, they became formally engaged. There was much to be thankful for. Jonna was 6 months pregnant. She gave birth to her daughter, Delanie in February 2014. Then in May 2015, David and Jonna made it official when they tied the knot.
Making It Official
Funny Lady
Jonna was raised in Smalltown, Indiana where she spent most of her free time. She said most of her time was spent, “Telling bad jokes and creating awkward situations.” So her prior experiences prepared her for a life of being creative and humorous. She started to create videos and blog content that was very funny and sarcastic.
Funny Lady
The Blunt Blonde Is Born
Jonna is better known by her social media name. She calls herself “The Blunt Blonde.” She explains in her Twitter intro, “People think I’m always joking but I’m not. I’m genuinely an unpleasant person and hate everyone equally.”
The Blunt Blonde Is Born
Amish Upbringing
Her husband had a very different childhood. David actually grew up in an Amish community.
Amish Upbringing
Living Under Amish Rules
The Amish are a hardline Swiss-German religious sect. They have many strict rules that govern their lives including not using technology and living as simply as possible.
Living Under Amish Rules
Adjustment Phase
In her blog, Jonna wrote that David was becoming, “well adjusted to his new ‘English’ lifestyle.” Jonna often found David’s Amish habits as quite funny and including some stories in her blog. She wrote one article entitled, “You can take a Man out of the Amish but…”
Adjustment Phase
The Blog
Besides this, in her blog Jonna includes stories about her life being married to David.
The Blog
Becoming An Internet Celeb
Jonna is a housewife and a stay at home mom. She also found the time and very much enjoyed maintaining an online presence.
Becoming An Internet Celeb
Late Hours
David was working at an RV dealership. He had incredibly long hours. Jonna knew how hard her husband worked and said he often returned home late because of it. Jonna despite knowing this felt isolated and alone.
Late Hours
She Wrote About It
Jonna wrote in her blog in December of 2015, “I’m married to a hard-working man and I would be lying if I said that it didn’t take a toll on me. Sometimes he will come home after a long day at work and I’ll be waiting for him to walk in the door, so I can yell ‘you promised me you would be home at five!’ As if he would rather be working than spending time with me and our daughter.”
She Wrote About It
Being Honest
She bluntly stated, “I’m putting him in a lose-lose situation. He literally can’t win. If he doesn’t work late, we won’t get the new furniture set that I have to have. If he does work later, he comes home to a nagging wife who is desperate for his attention.” She continued to explain very honestly, “I am so selfish in our marriage and I know that. But, every once in a while, I’ll have my little ‘A-ha’ moment that gives me a sense of understanding.”
Being Honest
Home Late, Again
These feelings, in particular, came up for Jonna on a Wednesday evening. David, again, was working very late. She put his dinner in the fridge for him for when he returned. She was playing with Delanie on the floor.
Home Late, Again
At Her Breaking Point
When the pair were together, Jonna’s mind was going into overtime. She couldn’t stop having bad thoughts and was about to erupt.
At Her Breaking Point
He’s Never There
Jonna tried to keep busy by doing laundry. David still wasn’t home when the clothes dryer finished its cycle. Instead of putting it through another cycle and folding the clothes as she usually would, she made a decision right then and there. She decided to fold the clothes while they were warm as a way to cool herself down. Nonetheless, as she was taking each piece out of the dryer, her mind was still on the absence of David.
He’s Never There
Using The Blog As A Crutch
In order to help her deal with her emotions, she decided to write about what she was feeling in her blog. “Why does he not want to spend time with me? We’re newlyweds, aren’t we supposed to be in the honeymoon stage?”
Using The Blog As A Crutch
The Realization
After some time, she formed two piles of laundry. She put her clothes in one pile, and David’s in another. She was about ready to put the clothing away when she noticed something about David’s clothing. It was this simple observation that she missed until this very moment. It all hit her. Jonna spotted something shocking about David’s clothing when she compared his to hers.
The Realization
What Happened?
So, what happened? What exactly was this attitude shifting realization? Jonna wrote in her blog, “Why did my clothes look so vibrant, clean and new? His were dingy, stained and torn.”
What Happened?
But He’s Sacrificing For You
Jonna suddenly had a realization. She felt wrong about her feelings and felt guilty about it. She wrote, “This man provided more than I deserve. If I tell him I want something, very seldom will he tell me no.”
But He’s Sacrificing For You
Feeling Guilty
She couldn’t get over the feelings of guilt. Her husband was buying her nice outfits while he bought nothing for himself. She couldn’t help how she felt about his absence but recognized without his earnings they would not have the life or lifestyle they did.
Feeling Guilty
Conflicting Feelings
Jonna explained, “I get spoiled with the fruits of his labor and he is okay with a pair of torn boxer briefs. I was acting as if he was out partying with his friends, but his laundry told a completely different story.”
Conflicting Feelings
Reflection
This caused her to take some time to reflect. It wasn’t only her husband’s clothing that was a result of all the hard work.
Reflection<
David Was Overworked And Exhausted
David himself was going through a hard time. His job was mentally and physically exhausting. His hands proved it. They were cracked and blistered. Besides this, he often missed dinner or went to bed early because he was so exhausted from working all day. His hours were long and the work was hard.
David Was Overworked And Exhausted
He Didn’t Seem To Mind Being Away From Home
Despite this, Jonna kept thinking he didn’t seem to mind all the late nights and hard work. She wrote, “His heart is full when he walks in [through] the door and our daughter runs for him excitedly yelling, ‘Dada!’ His dreams have come true of being able to be a man and provide for his family. He has everything he has ever wanted in life.”
He Didn’t Seem To Mind Being Away From Home
She Recognized Her Own Flaws
Jonna then made a promise to herself to be a better wife. She really wanted to dismiss the bad feelings and emotions. She didn’t want to be upset with her husband when he returned late from work. She instead wanted to focus on all the sacrifices David was making for their life and their family.
She Recognized Her Own Flaws
He’s Doing It All For Her
She explained in her blog, “Sure, I miss him and want to spend time with him throughout the week, but I have realized he is offering me the most beautiful form of love there is… He works to give our family everything we need. He works so his wife and daughter don’t go without, even though there are times I’m sure he does.”
He’s Doing It All For Her
If He Loves You…
Jonna also used this opportunity to provide advice to other couples, wives, and partners who felt lonely when their other halves were working late. She concluded in her blog post, “If you have a hard-working man in your life and you can’t comprehend how much he loves you… Do his laundry.”
If He Loves You…
The Real Blunt Blonde
Jonna continued to write blog posts for “The Real Blunt Blonde.” Many of the blog posts were about parts of her family life and marriage. She also sparked the interest of many people who were interested in Amish culture due to David’s background.
The Real Blunt Blonde
I’m Not Amish But My Husband Is
In one of her most popular posts titled, “I’m not Amish but my Husband is,” she discusses how she met David and was then introduced to his parents. She also discusses some misconceptions she had about the Amish before she got to know David and Amish culture more.
I’m Not Amish But My Husband Is
She Knew Nothing About Amish Life
In our opinion, the blog is very informative and totally hilarious! Jonna’s first line is, “My husband grew up Amish and I talk shit online.” She continues, “Before I married into an Amish family all I really knew about them was that they made doughnuts that would slap your taste buds with a happiness you’ve never experienced before (except for that one time you took ecstasy at a rave) and that they wore coffee filters on their heads to shield them from the sun because they have sensitive scalps.”
She Knew Nothing About Amish Life
Jonna & David Meet
So, how did a woman with no knowledge of Amish life end up marrying one? She explains, “I met my husband at our current home back in 2011. My sister was dating a J-O. This stands for jerked over, meaning he jumped the fence ditching his Amish lifestyle to live like the English. Yes, they refer to us as the English. It makes me feel like I’m from England and likely always will. “That’s a spiffing bonnet, old chap!”
Jonna Amp David Meet
Love At First Sight?
Jonna met her future Amish husband was in his early twenties and threw a party. She went with her sister and actually had a boyfriend at the time. The instant Jonna and David met, there was chemistry. David held back out of respect for her relationship but was immediately attracted and interested in her. Jonna explains, “he found out we broke up nine months later, he got my phone number, asked me on a date, I said “What the hay, why not?” we went on the date, got drunk as balls on Patron, he threw up out of a vehicle going 65 mph on I69 and the rest was history.”
Love At First Sight@
Meeting The Family!
After about six months of dating, everything was going great between Jonna and David. The couple decided it was time to introduce each other to their parents. Jonna was so nervous and wondered, “How would I fit in with Amish people? How am I going to flush the toilet without electricity? Are they going to throw Holy water at my face as soon as I walk in? I don’t have a dress that covers my ankles, what the hell am I supposed to wear?” How hilarious!
Meeting The Family
Amish Rules
If you don’t know much about The Amish, they are a sect of Anabaptists. They have many religious beliefs and practices that often seem strange to people outside of their communities. Just like any other group of people, some Amish are more conservative and strict than others. All of them, however, refuse to use electricity, drive cars, have phones, use the internet or allow photos of them to be taken.
Amish Rules
Rules-Based In The Bible
You might be wondering the reason behind all of these strict rules. Well, they are all rooted in their Biblical beliefs. For example, the “no photograph” rule stems from the commandment against worshiping “graven images.” By not using electricity and the internet, it means they are observing the commandment to not put themselves above any others in their community.
Rules-Based In The Bible
Living A Modest Amish Life
So, Amish people believe in living modestly. You can see this in their clothing even. Amish don’t wear buttons because it is considered too modern, and women wear solid colored dresses with aprons and coverings on their head. Makeup, jewelry, hairstyles, and even collared coats are forbidden.
Living A Modest Amish Life
No Buttons, Especially For Women
One shocking rule is no buttons. They are considered fancy, a luxury and not modest by the Amish. Women are not “supposed to fall into temptation” so buttons are especially forbidden. The logic behind it is that it is too easy to slip off an item of clothing if it is attached by a mere button. The risk it would pop open is too big! If someone is on a courtship date, they might be tempted to snap open the button and do things they shouldn’t until marriage.
No Buttons Especially For Women
An Amish Woman’s Sleeves Must Reach The Elbow
Most secular women in the world wear tank tops, tube tops, and even bra tops. This is outrageous to the Amish. As we mentioned, Amish women don’t get the same privileges and freedoms as secular women because of their biblical belief in modest dress. Women must, therefore, cover themselves, and have sleeves that reach their elbows. Modern women are viewed as totally scandalous in comparison. Some Amish even look at modern women like sinners!
An Amish Woman’s Sleeves Must Reach The Elbow
Would His Family Accept Her?
So, Jonna had no idea what to expect when she met David’s family. She was worried they might not accept her, or that she might accidentally do or say something offensive. Turns out, she had a great experience and was pleasantly surprised. Jonna stated, “They were sweet, accepting and holy shit they had lights on in their house. I thought to myself, “How? How do they have lights? How is that lighter igniting this contraption? Oh, it’s LP gas, okay.”
Would His Family Accept Her@
Absolutely Zero Make-Up
Jonna obviously is a modern woman and doesn’t follow the rules for women. She doesn’t dress modestly and also loves makeup! Amish women are not allowed to wear literally any makeup. No foundation, no eyeshadow, no blush, not even sheer lip gloss. Women should have a totally bare face. It is supposed to give a “genuine and honest” look. Jonna couldn’t help but wonder if she would be asked to change or feel excluded by the family. She was the opposite of all their values after all.
Absolutely Zero Make Up
Women Cannot Adorn Themselves With Gold Or Pearls
Also according to the Biblical story of Timothy II, women cannot adorn or “decorate” themselves. This means absolutely no jewelry. Jewelry is viewed as showing off and trying to attract attention in the view of the Amish. They think it is a way of showing “I’m rich and you’re poor” and it is viewed as a waste of money. Why not feed your family or donate to charity if you have some extra money floating around?
Women Cannot Adorn Themselves With Gold Or Pearls
Women Must Do The Cooking & Cleaning
Amish believe in traditional roles for men and women. Cooking and cleaning are done by the women, and men work to earn a paycheck. They do the labor, and handy work around the house, while women bear children, cook and clean. Some secular people say when they see how the Amish act, it is like a glimpse of how our grandmothers and grandfathers acted. A woman’s domain is the household, and she doesn’t work. How things have changed for most of the world!
Women Must Do The Cooking Cleaning
They Totally Loved Her!
Jonna was a big hit with the family! After the initial meeting, she thought, “I got this in the bag. They love me. I’m the best English gal they’ve ever set their eyes upon and I too shall become a Miller.”
They Loved Her!
Surprise! Now I’m Pregnant!
Everything was going great, but then Jonna found out 2 months later she was pregnant! The family was pretty upset according to Jonna. They of course never would imagine that she would get pregnant before she and David were married. While they are a more liberal Amish family, having children out of wedlock was going too far outside of their beliefs. To them, it was inappropriate and not ok. Jonna decided to leave the country to calm herself down and figure out what to do.
Surprise Im Pregnant
And Now A Baby Out Of Wedlock??
Jonna returned to the USA when she was 6 months pregnant. Then, guess what happened? David proposed at Thanksgiving dinner in front of Jonna’s entire family!
Baby?
Popping The Question
David popped the question in front of 25 people! How courageous! Jonna remarked she was surprised and thought, “Damn, I hope this ring fits, I’m a lard-ass. This is going to be embarrassing.”
Popping The Question
The Ring!
Really, the ring didn’t fit. Jonna forced it on her hand anyway. She joked she posted on Facebook, “I said YES!” “with a swollen finger eating my ring.”
The Ring
One Happy Family At Last
Despite the early pregnancy, David’s family was thrilled with the proposal! They would finally be a family.
One Happy Family At Last
Baby #1
Jonna and David’s first child was welcomed into the world three months later. Jonna was a bit concerned David’s family wouldn’t accept or treat her child like “one of them” because she wasn’t Amish. Jonna stated the family accepted her child like one of their own. She said, “Three months later our child was born and they love her just like the other little bonnet heads I like to call my adorable nieces and nephews. My daughter learned some Dutch, helps grandma bake bread and knows the names of all of the birds that come to Grandma’s bird feeder.”
Baby #1
The Big Day
The couple made it official on May 23, 2015. All of the groomsmen were Amish, so Jonna had a little trouble picking out ties for the men to wear. Her husband told her, “They can only wear bow-ties.” I stared. He explained, “Amish people cannot wear ties.” Jonna said she exploded. “What the Hell do you mean they can’t wear ties? A bow tie is a tie, that is tied in a damn bow! Are you kidding me?! That’s the stupidest shit I’ve heard all day!”
The Big Day
They Made It Official
So, surrounded by bowties, the couple said: “I do.” They were now officially Mr. and Mrs. David Miller. Jonna remarked on “the left side of the aisle there were a lot of bonnets, but I knew that people were missing on my husband’s side of the family. A few select members of the family didn’t attend because of one of two reasons. 1. We weren’t marrying into the Amish lifestyle. 2. We had a child out of wedlock.”
They Made It Official
Live Your Life
So, you can imagine this isn’t the ideal situation for a wedding. How did Jonna and David respond? They didn’t get upset. Their life philosophy is as follows: “We just don’t give a shit.”
Live Your Life
Why Are People are obsessed with the Amish?
After her experiences marrying into a devout Amish family and the online reaction that she received, Jonna concluded in her blog how ‘for some reason, people are obsessed with the Amish’. Well it’s easy to see why. Jonna puts it down to how “they don’t blast their life all over the internet, they’re never clutching a cell phone in one hand and some kind of pumpkin spice flavored bullshit in the other and they ride their bikes all over the place. We, on the other hand, tell everyone about our lives, we feel lost without our cell phones’. True story…
Why Are People Are Obsessed With The Amish
The Amish Keep To Themselves
One of Jonna’s main observations about Amish culture is that ‘the Amish are so good at keeping outsiders out’ and tend to keep themselves to their themselves. This is perhaps part of their attempt to preserve their community from the outside world. Luckily for Jonna, this didn’t quite go to plan when Daniel married an ‘outsider’. However, since most of us only know about the Amish from movies like King Pin, the fact that their able to preserve their community makes it more mysterious and even more fascinating for us.
The Amish Keep To Themselves
Did He Ever Stop Being Amish?
In her blog, Jonna pens some of her unique observations about the Amish. Well we’re glad she did as we’re still at the edge of our seats with so many unanswered questions. Did he ever stop being Amish? Well according to Jonna her husband did adjust to his “new ‘English’ lifestyle”. Nevertheless, she does highlight how ‘his Amish roots didn’t come out of the woods every once and awhile…And let me tell you, you can take a man out of the Amish but you can’t take the Amish out of a man.’
Did He Ever Stop Being Amish…
Does He Still Judge Outsiders?
One of the most intriguing parts to the story is the idea that her husband gave up being Amish when he met her. Nevertheless, Jonna still wondered if he ever truly gave up being Amish and blogged “Did he leave behind the morals his parents spent 18 years instilling in him?” Another thought that crossed her mind was “Can I act like the weird bitch that I truly am without judgment?” We also wondered if his Amish background made him more judgmental of ‘outsiders’. Well we’re guessing he accepted this ‘outsider’ just the way she is…
Does He Still Judge Outsiders
He Still Has Amish Quirks
Jonna touchingly wrote how her husband still ‘has his little quirks that I laugh at but secretly adore.’ One of these quirks is his ‘funny Amish accent’ and when he says certain words or phrases like “7-11…or I will borrow him some money” instead of ‘lending’ money. Though it took some time to get adjusted to these Amish quirks, Jonna blogged how “Don’t worry, I still love your little Amish ass”.
He Still Has Amish Quirks
Amish Men Have A Dress Code Too
While Amish women have to follow a strict dress code and not wear buttons or jewelry, it seems Amish men have some quirky rules of their own. Jonna highlighted one of the most unusual ones in her blog, which is that “Amish men aren’t allowed to have back pockets.” As we racked our brains to understand the possible reason why, Jonna has her own take it it and believes “it’s so the Amish women aren’t tempted to check out their friend’s husbands. Pockets will catch their eye, you know?” Well now we know.
Amish Men Have A Dress Code Too
Google That
Jonna highlights in her blog how one of the main reality checks she encountered when she married Daniel was that he really didn’t grow up with modern technology. She cites how ‘he seriously asked me how to Google. I’m sure you can imagine all of the fun I had with that one. As a matter of fact, he recently asked me how to use Siri. I had him talking to his phone saying ridiculous things for five minutes before he had caught on.’ It seems this couple certainly are the yin to each others’ yang, but it hey, works!
Google That
He Took Some Time To Adjust
Jonna recounts in her blog other times that Daniel struggled to get to grips with the modern world. She recalls how ‘I’ll never forget the time he attempted to warm up some cheese for a soft pretzel…by filling the sink up with hot water.’ Naturally Jonna found it hilarious and ‘tried for as long as I could to keep my mouth shut, but failed.’ Perhaps their differences brought them closer as she said ‘Inside I was dying of laughter but I also kinda felt sorry for him’ and finally blurted out “David, you have a microwave. Welcome to the 21st century.”
He Took Some Time To Adjust
Opposites Attract
So, while these two came from totally different backgrounds and worlds, in this case, “opposites attract” couldn’t be more right on! Jonna stated, “He’s calm, I’m a psycho. He knows how to drive a buggy, they let me drive a pony cart once and I almost crashed into a tree. He asks me how to get on Google, I get on the internet and run my mouth every day. I love my in-laws, I love my husband and dammit I may not be Amish but I’ve had it in me.”
Opposites Attract
Five Years Later
After encountering some unexpected cultural differences when they first got together, Jonna seems to have been quite influential on her husband and has almost acquainted him with the 21st century and back pockets. She still teases in her blog though how ‘five years later, there are still times that I have to remind my husband that his pants have back pockets and he’s now a master of the Google’.
Five Years Later
The Phone Shack
Jonna also gave us some more insights into the Amish culture. Although the Amish take pride in shielding themselves from modern technology, they can run but they cant’t hide from everything. That includes phones! Though they’re still careful to ensure that they don’t get addicted like us, so Jonna discovered that Amish people have a “phone shack”. This can be a “pole barn, shed or literally a tiny shelter that only stores the phone, they have one”. So they’re not tempted to become addicted to smartphones like us “they put the phone outside”, but they are addicted to voicemail and ‘two-minute long messages’.
The Phone Shack
Amish Children Are The Best
According to Jonna, one of the best parts about the Amish culture is the children. Since they are instilled with Amish values, this means ‘they won’t be disrespectful, they’re helpful, they work hard’. In fact, Jonna even gives kudos to them for being ‘more responsible than 85% of adults I encounter every day’. Well that’s another reason to love their culture!
Amish Children Are The Best
They Don’t Have Health Insurance
While the Amish do believe in phones, it seems they don’t believe in the concept of health insurance. As part of their charity orientated culture, this means that if a member of the ‘church has hospital bills piling up, cancer, etc, it gets paid out of pocket.’ This means that the members of their church community and other communities all contribute to the bill. Their community spirit is actually quite enviable.
Dont Have Health Insurance
How They Elect Their Spiritual Leaders
Jonna gives us the inside scoop on how the church elects their spiritual leaders, and it’s just as sweet and quirky as you might expect. The members of the church decide and vote for the candidates they think are a good fit. The votes are tallied and the ones with the most votes are the nominees. Then each nominee is given a hymn book and a ‘piece of paper with a verse written on it is hiding in of the hymn books. The books are shuffled, distributed and whoever has the piece of paper is chosen’. Well that’s one unique and random way to vote!
How They Elect Their Spiritual Leaders
Amish Weddings Are One Of A Kind
Jonna reveals in her blog how ‘Amish weddings are one of a kind’. Amish weddings are usually hosted at the bride’s parents house and begin early and last until about 8:00 pm. Ok here’s the unusual part… ‘The actual ceremony is an hour or two long and is usually held at the bride’s parents neighbors shop. Anyway, the bishop will only speak dutch, so this part seems to last forever.’ For the guests that prefer to skip this dutch ceremony that seems forever, thankfully ‘they just get invited to come eat.’ Ok phew sign us up for that!
Amish Weddings Are One Of A Kind
There’s Plenty Of Food At Amish Weddings
Another quirky part to Amish weddings, is that ‘friends of the couple will witness some or all of the ceremony and will likely be asked to serve’. Instead of hiring pricey caterers like most of us their friends will have to serve ‘at least three meals throughout the day- 12:00, 5:00 and 7:00’. Well personally we prefer to eat and dance at weddings rather than serve, but Jonna found some solace in the fact that there are white tents ‘where all of the servers are drinking booze to kill time. This part is actually a lot of fun’. Ok so you’d find us in there too!
There’s Plenty Of Food At Amish Weddings
Jonna’s Take On Marriage
Jonna openly blogs about the reality of marriage and how she ‘never fell in love’ like in the fairy-tales. Instead she reveals how ‘I choose to work every single day at this marriage and I choose to love him every second… for the rest of my life…to face the hard times with him and wake up next to him every morning. I choose to believe I can always be a better wife and I choose to believe we will be together forever. In my marriage, failure isn’t an option. I will never choose to fail. I chose forever.’ Perhaps what she found when she washed his clothes inspired her to feel this way.
Jonnas Take On Marriage
“I’m Not Amish But My Husband Is”
No relationship is easy, especially when one half is Amish. Nonetheless, despite everything these two went through, they are still happily married and Jonna has a renewed appreciation for her very loving, committed Amish husband.
I’m Not Amish But My Husband Is
An Amazing Reminder
While not every reader could connect to Jonna’s laundry story, the overall message struck a chord with many people. One reader left a comment that what she said brought it all back home. She wrote, “This is an amazing reminder. I used to stay home with our daughters when they were little, and I used to feel horrible doing the same thing. This is an awesome perspective to carry.”
An Amazing Reminder