I’m no stranger to people voicing their opinions about the
decisions I make regarding my own life. It seems that every step of the way
I’ve had someone questioning something, everything, about what I decide to do.
When I left for college, there were those who doubted me, or
said I should have stayed home. There were some who said I would never make it
past the first year, that I would move back and live with my parents for fear
of being without them. Yet, here I am, year four and 212 days away from
graduation.
When I made the decision to join a sorority there was a
countless amount of people who voiced their opinions in protest. I apparently
didn’t like girls enough, or I wasn’t friendly, pretty, rich or peppy enough.
Yet, here I am, year four and still involved. I’ve met my bridesmaids and
probably have this organization to thank for meeting my groom as well.
So when we made the decision to get married at a “young age”
it was no different. There are those who continuously doubt, or ask rude and
suggestive questions, so I thought it was about time I set the record straight.
“I could never get married so young.” – Well, then don’t.
“Don’t you feel like your life is ending?” – Not at all, I
feel like my life is just beginning.
“It’s too bad that all of your fun is over now.” – I’m not
sure what you mean by “fun” if you think all of it is over for me. If by “fun”
you mean I can’t sleep around, avoid responsibility and make poor decisions,
then yes I suppose my “fun” is over, but I never participated in those things
anyway.
“But don’t you want to travel? See the world? Won’t getting
married hold you back?” – If you think that marriage is something that confines
you and holds you back, then you have it all wrong. Yes, I do want to travel
and see the world, and now I get to do it with my best friend and the love of
my life by my side. What’s the point of having incredible experiences if you
have to do them alone?
The point that I hope to make with this post is that, I
don’t need your opinion. If getting married at a young age is something you
would never do, then by all means please don’t! If you can’t recognize the
commitment you’re making and dedicate yourself to the sanctity of marriage,
please don’t. We have a hard enough time as it is keeping this incredible union
special so don’t agree to it if you’re not ready – but don’t tell me that I’m
not.
I’m getting married for a lot of reasons. I’m getting
married because I’ve met the man who gives reason to so many things. He’s the
first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about at night.
He supports me and encourages me. He wants to be my partner, not my dictator.
He recognizes that there will be hard times and is ready to fight through them
with me. He loves God first and loves me second which is how it should be. I
know without a doubt that if I had a son just like him, I would be perfectly
happy with that. If I had a daughter who dated someone who treated her as well
as Zekke treats me, I would be perfectly okay with that.
He recognizes when I need to talk, and when I need to just
be held. He knows when I want him to fix my problem, and when I want him to
just listen. He respects me as an independent woman, but still cares for me as
a chivalrous man. I could go on for days about why I know he’s the right one,
but the fact of the matter is that he is.
We’re getting married because we’re ready to make that
commitment. We’re ready to take on the rest of our lives together whether you
think so or not. We may not have graduated from college yet, but we’ve both
worked very hard to get to where we are. We may be under 25, but we’re still
adults.
I’m not defending my decision, because I don’t have to. I
have no one to justify this to, because everyone who matters is just as happy
for us as we are for ourselves.
What I’m saying is that if you know someone who is getting
married at a “young age” don’t take it upon yourself to tell him or her all of
the million reasons why you wouldn’t do it. Chances are, they’ve thought of all
these things and they still know.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared, or that I
thought it would be easy, but I would also be lying if I said I wasn’t 120%
sure. That, my friends, is why I’m getting married at a “young age” and that,
is all that should matter.
