Lately I've been scrolling through Facebook and I've noticed something that I thought I wouldn't be seeing... People my age getting married. Now I'm only nineteen, but the fact that people are going after such a mature step in their lives is surprising to me. This is not an article about judging people who get married early, but rather a reflection of my thoughts on the subject. I believe that if you are ready, feel comfortable and are not afraid of what people around you are going to think about this, then it is your choice. People should not judge you for wanting to be happy.

I'm not going to lie to anyone, I have talked to my boyfriend about marriage before. Mutually, we agreed that we would wait until we felt like it was the right time and that we would both be comfortable financially. Now this may be after college or it might never happen, but the idea that someone is willing to wait for me to be ready to commit makes me feel safe and secure. We've been dating for a few years now, but I feel like the people I see getting engaged are only a year or so into their relationships. This isn't a bad thing, but I honestly believe that it takes longer than a year to truly know someone; to truly know what keeps them up at night, their hopes, dreams, fears and desires. If you rush into things before truly getting to know your significant other, you may end up with someone you only thought you knew.

Maybe we put too much pressure on today's young adults. The idea that you have to get a job, graduate college, maintain good grades and attempt to maintain a social life before you end up settling down and finding the one person that makes you happiest is a weird way to look at things. Yes, it's a huge commitment. Yes, there will be good times and bad times, but if you find that one person that sticks with you, then the bad times truly don't seem as bad. I plan to get married early.... not tomorrow or anything, but somewhere down the road I hope to have a ring on my finger and have my better half standing beside me. If you believe that you feel ready to marry your best friend, then no one should judge you for wanting to make a life long commitment. No one has the right to diminish the happiness that you feel. People may judge you for the ring on your finger, but that ring only means a lifetime of happiness for you as well as the promise of a life long best friend.