As little girls, we are brought up reading about Prince Charming and dreaming of our happily ever after. As teenagers we already have our weddings planned out on Pinterest down to the tiniest, most intricate details. If from a young age we are waiting and planning for our dream man, then why is that when we find him and enter an engagement at a young age that it is looked down upon? I was only 16 at the time when I had first met him. Little did I know that he would be my knight in shining armor, the man that would propose 4 years later, and the man that I will see at the end of the aisle. I shouldn't have to defend my life choices to anyone, but I would like to set the record straight by disputing some of the most common misconceptions of being young and engaged.
1) You Will Be Missing Out By Not Living Your Own Life.
Yes, I will be missing out on one-night stands, late night hook ups, and horrendous first dates. I am completely okay with that. Just because my single life is over does not entail that I am missing out on life itself. It means that I will be sharing my life with one person. Sharing my accomplishments, my experiences, my struggles, my travels, and my happiness.
2) You Are Rushing Into Things, It Won't Last.
Marriage is a serious commitment that should not be rushed into. Even though we are young, it does not always mean that we had rushed into it. It is perfectly acceptable for a middle aged couple to know each other for a year before getting married, but even young couple knows each other for double that amount of time, it is considered rushing and doomed to fail. Age doesn't determine the success of a marriage. Youth does not guarantee a divorce.
3) No, Engagement/Marriage Does Not Mean I Am Pregnant.
Some people are lucky enough to find the person they want to share the rest of their lives with at a young age. An engagement does not mean that they are only getting married because of a pregnancy. They are engaged because they love their significant other more than anything in the world and don't see themselves being with anybody else. Love should be the main reason why any couple approaches the serious commitment of marriage, the stigma of a youthful marriage due to pregnancy is not the case for every couple.
4) Engagement/Marriage Does Not Mean All Of Our Problems Are Over.
While many of our friends our age are having relationship problems, they assume that we don't have any at all. Since we are engaged, it is assumed that we can't do anything fun, we don't have any problems and are living in our own "happy-couple" world. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Our engagement means we are sharing our problems and struggles together. Work-related struggles, family struggles, financial struggles, school problems, and whatever else is thrown our way. Even though we are the "engaged ones," or "married ones" in our group of friends, it does not mean everything in our life is peaches and cream. We are just lucky enough to have our significant other by our side to help get through our struggles and continue on our walk through life.
5) No, I Won't Have Regrets.
Many people will comment on my engagement and ask of my age with instant judgement, but at the end of the day those people can think what they want. If I had to live my life over I would do it the same. I wouldn't regret any of the decisions I have made because they have made me the woman I am today. I know that I won't regret any of the decisions that I make in my future.There isn't any room in life for regrets, everything in life happens for a reason. For right now, I am lucky to be in love, lucky to have my health, and lucky to be happy.
