As we grow, friends and family start to ask those milestone questions.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Where are you going to college?"
"What is your major?"
" Dating anyone?"
and then all of a sudden you're 20, at Thanksgiving, and that aunt you never talk to asks when you want to get married.
What? How did we get to this? It doesn't seem that long ago that my mom was begging me to eat vegetables. It doesn't seem that long ago that I graduated high school. How can two years of university life tell me when I want to share my life with someone else? I can barely hold myself together now.
I'm not saying that it's offensive for someone to assume I want that in my future, it is obviously common. I also don't think it is a mistake to get married young.
I just don't understand the jump from college to marriage. I feel as though my generation loves a good love story, and that Segways into topics and small talk with family and friends. Why don't we ask about jobs, locations, travel, all those other things that are on my horizon?
I value my relationships, especially the one I'm in now, but that doesn't mean it is the most important thing in my life. It feels like the most interesting thing I could be up to while I'm away in college is meeting guys and finding a husband. I don't even think marriage is in the cards for me at all, so stop asking. It's like asking someone who is already married when they are going to have kids. It's invasive and inappropriate. A relationship is between two people and two people only, and their lives are, unfortunately, none of your business.
Ask me about my future plans in regards to my career, internships, my sorority, my church, my shoes for God's sake. I have a life, and other hobbies if you took the time to notice.
I am a woman with plans, interests, and a wild imagination, and I would love to share that with anyone who asks. Other people may be head over heels and ready to get hitched ASAP, and that is totally amazing for them. I, however, get nauseous talking about it. So just. stop. asking.
I love you and appreciate your interest in my life, but I'm up to more than dating.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
A confused, stressed, SEC college student, who isn't here for a MRS. degree.
