Marriage, a thing that binds one person to another, till death do them part for the rest of their lives.

A commitment that means so much more than any ring or ceremony.

A commitment that cherishes true love.

It is 2017, the numbers for marriage rates have dropped and the number of divorce rates has increased.

What many people seem to believe is that the reason for marriage rates dropping is that Millennials just don't want to get married anymore. But that is just the opposite, Millennials do still want to get married, but they want to wait to get married for when they are financially stable, out of college, find the right one and many other reasons.

Times have changed and people don't get married right out of high school anymore. It's very uncommon for someone to be married and living in their own home by the age of 25. But the thing that is still the same is that we do still hope for marriage in our future for all, if not for better reasons.

I had submitted a survey that over 40 millennials, ranging from 17-26, to ask them if they want marriage and why. Out of the responses I received, not one person said they didn't want to get married. Over 70% said yes, they do want to get married, the remaining 30% had said maybe or that they were not sure yet. The main thing that caught my attention was the responses when I had asked them why they wanted to get married.

Here are just a few of the responses that really opened my eyes on the millennial viewpoint of marriage:

1. Female, 23

"Getting to know that I'll spend the rest of my life with my best friend is all I've ever wanted."

2. Male, 19

"Getting to spend every day with the person you love just seems so wonderful. I couldn't think of any greater happiness."

3. Female, 21

"I always dreamed of starting a family with the man of my dreams one day. Making memories, being loved. It just all sounds so perfect to me."

4. Female, 19

"The idea of being able to share my life with someone who loves every part of who I am for the rest of my existence is something I have always dreamed of having."

5. Other (Agender, non-binary, etc.), 18

"I think it's beautiful to want to share your life with someone who makes you want to live it with them."

The next few really caught my attention and even opened my own eyes on the thought of marriage:

6. Other (Agender, non-binary, etc.), 20

"Sure it may just 'be a paper', but it's a documented commitment. It's a beautiful ceremony. Even if it's a courthouse marriage it's still a special moment of vows and love of one another."

7. Female, 19

"I don't look at marriage in the religious sense, but I definitely see it as a way to officially let people know 'we're together'. We aren't dating, we're married. We can't split up over a stupid argument without consequence when married, you need to work through it and find a solution. Marriage makes you realize you're an adult with adult responsibilities because you can't just one day decide "hey, I'm done here" and leave. If you have a problem, you need to talk about it."

8. Female, 20

"I've found someone who I see a future with. They motivate me to grow as a person and make me want to do better, always. I thought marriage was dumb and pointless and a waste of money, especially as a child of divorce. I didn't think anything permanent with anyone and I couldn't imagine giving myself to someone in the way that a married couple is supposed to. But one day you meet a person and everything changes. The future seems less bleak and more hopeful. You want to spend all of your time with them, for the rest of your life. I found my person, and I honestly can't picture my life without them anymore. It's hard to put into words, but when you meet that person, you just know."

Marriage is a beautiful and sacred thing. It's a commitment that many people are scared to make. It's scary up until you find that one person that makes all your fears, all your worries just disappear. When you find the person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.

The one you want to share your laughs with, the one you want to cry with when things get tough.

When you find the person you never get sick of and can be with at any point in time and be happy, marriage is all you can think about. Marriage lets you know that that person isn't leaving. It's a commitment to stay, through sickness and in health, till death do you part.

Millennials do still hope for marriage one day, even if they live in a society where the 'norm' is hook-ups and divorce.