After I got engaged in June, I told myself I wouldn't be that person. I wouldn't write about weddings, engagements or the beautiful, wonderful phenomenon of being in love. But, over the last month and a half, I have noticed a common theme in the way that many people have responded in regards to my engagement: "Wow, you two are so brave for getting married so young!"

When we get married, I will be 22, and my fiancé will be 23. I have gotten that very reaction from people our age and from people much older than us, but I will say now that I disagree with that sentiment entirely.

There are so many things that people can do that are braver than "getting married young." Men and women who risk their lives every day for us, both domestically and internationally, are brave. People who fight a disease trying to take over their bodies are brave. People with mental illnesses who wake up every day and work toward getting better—or even getting through the day—are brave. People who escape abuse are brave. People who travel and take risks by themselves are brave. There are so many ways to be brave, but, in my honest opinion, getting married is not one of them.

In terms of relationships, I can think of so many more ways that a person can be brave. Isn't it much braver to put yourself out there in the first place and express feelings toward another person? It is brave to love at all. The bravery comes in the vulnerability that accompanies embarking on a relationship to begin with. Once we reached the point of knowing we wanted to get married, it was no longer about being brave, but it was about feeling safe.

So, my question is, "Why?" Why do you think that this act is brave? I realize that married life may not all be peaches-and-cream perfection, but in that way, could I not argue that the act of marriage, at any age, in and of itself, is brave? We do not feel that we are sacrificing being young and unattached. We get to have the privilege to share our adventures as partners in a union blessed by God. We feel like we are a step ahead by getting to start our lives together earlier than some. We are excited and filled with joy. What we do not feel is a sense of bravery because we do not feel that by joining on this road together that we are taking some major risk.

If anything is brave, I can tell you that it would be much braver (and more stupid) for me to try to tackle life without my biggest cheerleader, best friend and love of my life by my side the whole way. The safe choice is making him my husband.