Over the summer, my boyfriend of four years popped the question, and I was over the moon, but the one thing that scared me was the negativity that would come from the engagement, as we are both still young and in college. It turned out to be the complete opposite, as everyone from family to friends completely supported us, and that has made me such a happy girl. Our engagement does not change who I am or what I believe in, but it has taught me some life lessons that I will always cherish.
1. Not Everyone Will Agree With Your Decision
Not everyone will agree with our decision but that is okay, because it's ours, not anyone else's. Not everyone is in the same position as I was. Not everyone is ready to get married in college, and that is also okay. Some people will ask why we didn't wait, but honestly it is our business, and all that matters is that we are content with the decision we have made. Neither of us have to sit down with someone who is questioning and explain everything because at the end of the day this is how we wanted it, and we are both perfectly happy with that.
2. Our Families Support Us
From the beginning I was getting a lot of, "My parents would kill me if I got engaged in college," and "What did you parents say when it happened?" but truth be told, both sides of our families were completely on board with the choice we made. Our families might have been even more excited than we were because we are becoming one big family. It is such a huge relief to know that with all the negativity that could have come from this, our family is so excited and ready for us to become one together.
3. That I Really Do Love This Man
I always knew that I loved him and wanted to be with him forever, but after our engagement I saw him from a different perspective. I saw him as a husband. I saw him caring for me when I was sick, going the extra mile to pick something up for me or print something out that I needed for class the next day when I could not do it. He started to become more loving towards me (not that he wasn't before) in the simplest ways that reminded me this is exactly who I am supposed to love for the rest of my life and I am perfectly content in his arms.
4. Pray For Each Other and Your Marriage Every Night
Every night before we go to bed we spend time together with God thanking him for our blessings and watching over us and we study His word together. Afterward, we each spend some alone time with Him, and I pray for my husband-to-be, and I know he is praying for me, too. I say a few words for our future, a healthy marriage, and a lifetime together, to remind Him that I am so thankful He brought me along on this journey.
5. Enjoy Planning the Best Day of Your Life
I was the girl who knew exactly what I wanted when I got married, who was going to be standing beside me, what kind of dress I wanted, and so on. I have loved making these decisions with my husband-to-be because it is our day to become one and we want it to be perfect. I take some time to think about how everything will look, and I honestly can't wait for my wedding day.
