"You haven't been together long enough to get married"

"You're too young to know what love is"

"You should wait until you're older, how do you even know if you really love him?"

Oh, for everyone's sake just shut up. For some reason, people try to persuade young couples that they just aren't old enough to be in love, don't understand love, or that a short relationship can't turn into a marriage. Well, a very wise woman once told me, it doesn't matter the amount of time you put in before you get married, but rather the effort you put into the marriage. So here is what I have to say to everyone putting their opinion into the relationships of other people.

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

There I said it. I'll be the first to admit that I've been judgmental of other couple's timelines. I can hear myself say "They've only been together for three months and they are already getting married". Well I want to apologize for every couple I have said that about. Who am I to say that? Everyone's timeline is different. You never know how deeply you can fall in love with someone in a short amount of time.

I had a long term relationship where we went from high school sweethearts to college students and it didn't work out. We were together for two years and when he got together with his current fiancé I didn't understand how he could be with someone and believe that he loved someone that quickly. I understand now. We were together for two years and I never felt even remotely as strongly about him as I do my current boyfriend and I'm sure he feels the same way about his future bride. I knew I loved my boyfriend from the first two months, and it was completely different.

So to everyone being pressured to hold a certain timeline for their relationships, please do yourself a favor and stop listening to everyone else. A relationship is between two people and God. Just remember that if you feel love, then trust that. Loving someone does not mean you're going to marry them, but love with all you have and don't hold back. If it doesn't work out, then pick yourself up and spend time loving yourself until you find the person you're meant to be with.

These are just a few thoughts I have on the topic, but what do I know? I'm too young to know what love is.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8 NIV