Elizabeth Smart is Married!

[bekkah]

That was a quick wedding! She managed to pull it off without a media frenzy and I think that is what she needs!

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20571945,00.html

[valsa]

I'd be happier if I heard she was getting secular therapy.

[BravaAmica]

I'd be happier if I heard she was getting secular therapy.

Me, too. I don't see how someone can go through a traumatic abduction and constant sexual abuse for nine months and not need therapy.

[Rachel333]

I'd be happier if I heard she was getting secular therapy.

So do you think that's something that she should make a public announcement about?

I think she should get real therapy, too (which doesn't have to be secular, but should at least be an actual therapist and not just religious leaders), but that's kind of a personal thing to share about and she seems to want to lead a very private life right now.

[debrand]

So do you think that's something that she should make a public announcement about?

I think she should get real therapy, too (which doesn't have to be secular, but should at least be an actual therapist and not just religious leaders), but that's kind of a personal thing to share about and she seems to want to lead a very private life right now.

Her mother told Oprah that her daughter wouldn't get any therapy. :(

[Seven Severn]

That picture could not be more unflattering - she looks like a haggard 35-year old. Surely she doesn't really look like that, could she?

[Hisey]

Her mother told Oprah that her daughter wouldn't get any therapy. :(

Her parents didn't want her to have therapy, they wanted her to "move on." She was desperately insecure and scared, and sensed how they felt, so she told them she didn't want therapy. That's my take on it.

She was 15 and a kidnap victim. Should therapy be a choice? Can a teen with her history make a rational decision on that subject?

[Rachel333]

I know what her mother said, but I'd like to hope that she's gotten therapy since then. It's still not something I think she should have to inform us about, but it would be nice to know.

[0KidsAndHappy]

That picture could not be more unflattering - she looks like a haggard 35-year old. Surely she doesn't really look like that, could she?

She looks a bit older than her age, but not nearly as much so as in that picture. This is from last month...

[Seven Severn]

She looks a bit older than her age, but not nearly as much so as in that picture. This is from last month...

Well that's certainly better. The first picture was a little scary.

[Buzzard]

Good for her! I wish her the best! Hopefully her new headship is reasonable enough to let her get help if she needs it.

[Kishiria]

That picture could not be more unflattering - she looks like a haggard 35-year old. Surely she doesn't really look like that, could she?

ONLY 35? She looks older than me in that photo, and I'm 46.

[Wickedwickedwitch]

Magic undies are all the therapy she needs.

She looks older than her mother in that picture.

[Kitty]

She looks a bit older than her age, but not nearly as much so as in that picture. This is from last month...

I swear it's the hair making her look older. Short(ish) hair can do that. My senior year formal pics made me look like I was pushing 30 because of my hairstyle. Seriously, it's kind of freaky since I usually look a bit younger.

[Witsec5]

I agree she should have therapy. Maybe marriage and sex will trigger something scary and force her into counseling. Not that this is my wish. My wish is for her to be healed and happy. The fact that they met in Paris kindles my fantasy that this is a sweet romantic fairy-tale with a happy ending. One can hope. At least she got to pick her husband who BTW is younger than she is.

[CC3]

I swear it's the hair making her look older. Short(ish) hair can do that. My senior year formal pics made me look like I was pushing 30 because of my hairstyle. Seriously, it's kind of freaky since I usually look a bit younger.

I think she looks about her age and she is very beautiful. I wish her and her husband the best.

[BravaAmica]

I swear it's the hair making her look older. Short(ish) hair can do that. My senior year formal pics made me look like I was pushing 30 because of my hairstyle. Seriously, it's kind of freaky since I usually look a bit younger.

Her hair color and make up are very aging. Her color should be softer- it's quite harsh on her. And her make up is full on when there's no reason for it. She's got great skin, gorgeous eyes and healthy coloring. She could go much lighter on the make up and look her age [or even younger]. And her clothing style is quite matronly. I'm itching to turn her over to What Not To Wear.

[valsa]

I know what her mother said, but I'd like to hope that she's gotten therapy since then. It's still not something I think she should have to inform us about, but it would be nice to know.

Of course she doesn't have to inform us, though it's unlikely she ever got any. Who said she did have to inform us?

[Rachel333]

Of course she doesn't have to inform us, though it's unlikely she ever got any. Who said she did have to inform us?

Well...

I'd be happier if I heard she was getting secular therapy.

That just came off the wrong way to me at first, probably especially because it was the very first response (not your fault, of course). I think I was just reacting too quickly; I do agree that I'd like to hear that she's getting therapy.

[Kelya]

Oh my goodness, the picture with the article! I'm glad she looks less old and worn out in other pictures. I'm sure her ordeal aged her but that picture is extreme.

[CustardTart]

I admire ES, but I need to be critical for a second to say that her hair color is too light fo her and makes her look older. If she chose a little bit darker blonde, it would look more natural and flattering.

About therapy, I can't believe she didn't get some. Is she such a strong young woman that she can deal with her adult married sexuality after being raped every day for a year at the innocent age of 14, without any therapy at all?? I read that she didn't even have her period yet when she was kidnapped, how much more innocent can you get.

That said, I'm very happy for her!

[silverspoons]

I hope everything works out for her. Some of those comments are just uncalled for on the people website. So far she has been able to finish high school, hold a job in which she worked with the public daily, go to college, go on a mission, live away from home for over a year so I hope this next step in her life can be sucessful. I'm actually more concerned about the young man's motivations not Elizabeth ability to overcome. I know it happens ALOT, but meeting an American on your mission & marrying them, I am always suspicious. I'm sure Ed Smart had this guy checked out.

As for therapy I remember her mom said she was getting it through the church. In Utah sometimes the best therapists work for the church social services. The LDS church offers fair wages, ample time off to be with family and great benefits and pensions(the lds church isnt going to go broke anytime soon).

[Elle]

Therapy doesn't help everyone, and not everyone needs it. Some people can make peace with something horrible that's happened and understand they had no fault and the perpetrators alone are responsible for their actions. I doubt she's just never talking. Since the more effective form of therapy for most people is non-drugged talk therapy, she may be talking about it al she needs and that's therapeutic enough.

I hope this guy is a good guy.

And I've got to ask what on earth is up with all that makeup. It makes her look so much older than she is! I didn't think she would look THAT old from the comments here, but WOW, she DOES!!

[DarkAnts]

I admire ES, but I need to be critical for a second to say that her hair color is too light fo her and makes her look older. If she chose a little bit darker blonde, it would look more natural and flattering.

About therapy, I can't believe she didn't get some. Is she such a strong young woman that she can deal with her adult married sexuality after being raped every day for a year at the innocent age of 14, without any therapy at all?? I read that she didn't even have her period yet when she was kidnapped, how much more innocent can you get.

That said, I'm very happy for her!

That shade of blond is her natural color. I wonder if the picture editor put a picture of her mother in instead of a picture of ES. I do wish the best for her. I am happy that the person who was responsible for her kidnapping is now in a federal prison. Utah has dropped the ball on many recent legal cases. The should have asked if he was able to understand right from wrong and prosecuted him based on that. Instead, they chose to let him vacation in the state mental institution. They also dropped the ball with the FLDS and Josh Powell. It makes me happy to know that I am no longer living there.

[silverspoons]

That shade of blond is her natural color. I wonder if the picture editor put a picture of her mother in instead of a picture of ES. I do wish the best for her. I am happy that the person who was responsible for her kidnapping is now in a federal prison. Utah has dropped the ball on many recent legal cases. The should have asked if he was able to understand right from wrong and prosecuted him based on that. Instead, they chose to let him vacation in the state mental institution. They also dropped the ball with the FLDS and Josh Powell. It makes me happy to know that I am no longer living there.

Isn't Wanda eligible to get out in 10 years? I really hope Wanda and Brian David never get to be free again.

Utah needs some serious reform. They certainly do not take sex crimes seriously. I have seen so many sad cases invovling kids. There are so few ad litem guardians & so many cases. My neighbor is a judge. I can't even look at him because of some of the ruing he has made, "The women ALWAYS gets the kids"...grrrr