Many people think that marriage should be for those aged 35 and older. Past generations say: "Young adults need to live their lives a certain way...it is the only way to happiness." I, for one, am breaking the mold. Giving perspective on new age "young adult" serious relationships, and capitalizing on the idea that you don't need to be 35 to be ready for marriage.

Not only am I engaged "young", I am also in an interracial relationship. My fiance is Spanish, and I am African. Our families support our relationship, for the most part, and we haven't encountered major negative comments about our relationship during it's span. Just some comments trying to group us in a stereotypical dating by one's race etc.-- but it obviously didn't deter us one bit.

Although we have our families support, my side of the family still doesn't take our relationship seriously. We are openly engaged, but I still hear the term "boyfriend" all the time, when it should be fiance. I understand they don't recognize the engaged part, sure, but it's a long leap from boyfriend to husband without fiance in between. Which brings it back to young, serious relationships not being taken seriously maybe due to age, or " lack of dating experience." They feel that young adults should spend their entire early 20's either constantly partying, dating around, or solely focused on school. Being in a serious relationship doesn't mean that my education is being sacrificed, or that all of my goals will be given up. That seems to be the vibe I constantly get from my parents-- mainly my dad.

I feel relationships, like any other, requires love, loyalty, and dedication. It's a given that youngsters may not take them seriously due to insecurities, and unnecessary drama, but when it's lasted for 5 years, like ours, it warrants a hue of legitimacy that I know we don't get with my family, but again, that hasn't halted us one bit. Either they acknowledge it now, or upon the alter as we vow to be husband and wife is truly up to them. I still get shady comments about me being "too young" and not "experienced enough" to be engaged, and I repeatedly prove a very valid point: "Age is a factor sure, but a very small one because you CAN be married at 35, but still get divorced the very next year. Why? Because it definitely is a maturity level of thinking. Really understanding what a marriage consists of, and truly being dedicated to fixing whatever problems arise, and honestly enjoying your partners company."

Then, I throw in facts, like "High school sweethearts-- such as ourselves-- do have a strong fighting chance. You hear of high school sweet hearts being together for 30/40 years, and if they didn't meet in school, they met while they were young and still stayed together for many years. Of course people can grow apart, and change, but soulmates do exist. Finding yours now, or 30 years from now, it does happen!"

Finally, I always close with: "I am very happy I found mine early on in life, because I would hate going through 5 plus failed relationships, being treated horribly, always having to learn a lesson-- often a bad one-- from endless failed relationships-- but I don't! Instead, I've found myself a hardworking man that I've grown with, who adores me and loves me unconditionally. That's what you should always want for your friends, or anyone you know and love." They can't help but agree, and congratulate me once again.

In conclusion, it shouldn't matter what age you are-- obviously not talking preteen years though-- for a relationship as long as there's love, mutual respect, and a solid understanding to move towards a serious relationship. Choosing marriage in the future, or not, it should be a decision only between you and your partner, because after all, it IS your lives, and you only live once.