Whether or not we've experienced it in our own lives, most of us know someone who has divorced parents. After all, according to the American Psychological Association, 40 to 50 percent of couples in the United States alone get divorced. And while they aren’t in my favor, as someone who is a child of one of those couples, I am determined to beat the odds. Here are just a few reasons why I refuse to untie the knot if I ever do decide to tie it.

1. Because ‘Marriage’ Isn’t a Word to be Thrown Around

I think one of the biggest problems with marriages ending in divorce is that people have forgotten the meaning behind marriage. Instead of fully realizing the weight that comes with getting married, more and more couples are getting married simply because they feel as though they have to. In order to keep up with the fast-paced society we live in, many people feel pressured to get (or give) that ring. Whether it’s seeing a post of a friend or family member getting engaged on social media or getting asked, “Has s/he popped the question yet?" it can get a little overwhelming to not take your relationship with your significant other to the next level. However, I’ve seen too many perfectly beautiful marriages turn into the ugliest ruins, so marriage isn’t a word I take lightly. I’m in no rush to tie the knot and my future someone will just have to realize I’m worth the wait.

2. Because I Know What Heartbreak Is

Even at my young age, I’ve experienced my fair share of heartbreak. But heartbreak comes in many forms. Going through my parents getting a divorce, I believe I have experienced true heartbreak. No one wants to see their family torn apart, and by experiencing just that I know what cuts the deepest. As far as relationships go, I can only imagine (and want to keep it to my imagination) the toll the heart takes when falling out of love with someone you once thought you would spend your whole life with. That kind of heartbreak is something I never want to experience.

3. Because I’m Going to Marry Someone Who Thinks I’m Worth It

Of course, this is easier said than done. Not everything is always on the surface and you can’t always tell a person’s true intentions; however, I hope to meet someone who I feel is willing to fight for me. Of course a marriage has its ups and downs, but whenever I decide to get married I’m going to try and make sure it’s to someone who thinks I’m worth putting up with. I want to marry someone who is willing to go through those downs with me and come out stronger.

4. Because I Never Want My Kids to Experience Divorce

For those who have gone through having their parents divorced, I’m sure it's easy to relate to the idea of never wanting your future children to go through the ugliness that is divorce. From having two houses to balancing time between parents leading to the endless arguments over who spent more time with who, having divorced parents is definitely not something that’s easy to balance growing up. I know how much it sucks and how ugly it gets and I never want my children to have to experience that.

5. Because I Owe it to Myself

At the end of the day, I know that I deserve my own happy ending. I deserve someone who is going to put in the effort to make things work with me, and for me to do the same for them. I’ve learned from my parents and those around me what I want and what I don’t want, and I am willing to do everything it takes to help make that 40 to 50 percent smaller. I’m promising to never get a divorce if I can help it because, “When something’s broken you should fix it, not throw it away."