After scrolling through my social media feed every day, I notice someone new getting hitched each time (a fabulous reminder of how single I am). Some of these people aren’t even done with school. Some of them aren’t even legal yet. It baffles me how you can determine your life partner when you are so young. You don’t even know yourself entirely yet!
But don’t get me wrong; many marriages DO end up working out when marrying young. But the likelihood that you and your partner will grow together and still love each other despite your ever-growing differences in 10 years from now is slim. I mean, were you the same person you were 10 years ago? Didn’t think so. You most likely won’t be the same person 10 years from now either. Your interests, morals, and lifestyle will change. And you cannot be sure that your partners’ will remain on the same page as you through the years. People grow apart. And that’s okay. But the marriage might work out in your favor if you consider these things when putting a ring on it:
1) Remember you are also choosing a parenting partner.
Is this someone you want influencing your children? Will this person make good choices as a parent?
More likely than not, you will have kids. If not, then perhaps this point isn’t entirely true for you, but it is still something to consider.
2) You are going to eat with this person for about 20,000 meals.
Does this person enjoy the same foods as you? Does this person have table manners? Is this someone you would bring home to your parents?
It might also be a bonus if he or she can cook.
3) This person will be your travel partner for a multitude of vacations.
When you get married, you are choosing a destination travel buddy as well. Can you spend long hours on the road with this person without getting annoyed? Does this person have travel planning skills? Is this person reliable if you get lost together? Would you want to see the world with this person?
Sometimes in new situations and environments, people’s true colors show.
4) This person will be by your side through retirement.
Can you really picture yourself growing old with this person? Can you deal with the dark side of this person’s personality (because we all have a dark side)?
Old people tend to get irritated fast and complain a lot. Make sure you can handle this person’s tolerance level for various situations.
5) You will hear about this person’s day every day for the rest of your life.
If this person is not interesting or has a dead end job, most likely it is a dead end relationship as well. Do you really care enough about what is going on throughout this person’s day? Or do you get annoyed when hearing about the conflict they had at work?
Of course, all of these things are plausible situations and questions you should really ask yourself before you decide to spend thousands of dollars on a wedding and commit yourself to this person for life.
If you checked off all these things with ease and effortlessly answered them with a positive response, then you are probably with the right person. If not, perhaps reconsider. We all have that celebrity crush we are waiting on to be single again anyways.
