In today's society, especially for women, marriage is a topic that comes with some pressures. There's definitely pressure for men as well, but for us ladies, it's almost a whole epidemic. There are TV shows, Pinterest boards, family members' footsteps to follow in, and celebrity weddings to envy. A popular show that almost all ladies (and some men) have seen at least once or twice, is the popular Say "Yes!" To The Dress. For those who have not seen the show, it is based on a high-end wedding dress store in New York City. Brides-To-Be search for the "perfect dress" with members of their bridal party and family often in tow. Many of these brides have a fairy-tale story of how they met their groom and were proposed to, and have a high-end wedding venue chosen for their special day.
I know that many girls like myself have thought about their own wedding day. Questions run through your mind as you grow up such as, "What type of dress will I wear?," "Who will be my Maid of Honor?," "Will my Dad be around to walk me down the aisle?," "What will my Husband look like? Will he be tall? Have brown eyes or blue?" and much more. Growing up, I was the youngest of my family. Many of my cousins had been married and had their own children by the time I was born, so I did not have to worry about wondering which one of us would be married next. As I grew up, more of my cousins started dating and wondering who they would marry. Two of my older cousins started dating men that they hoped were 'The One,' and the older of the two is engaged to be married within the next year. My second-oldest cousin is dating a great guy, but there are no wedding bells as of yet.
As for myself, I have been dating my boyfriend for less than 6 months, and we are in no rush! Finishing College, preparing to attend graduate school and wondering where I will find a job are on my current 'To-Do' list. I am hopeful that the amazing man I am dating now will be my forever love and future husband, but I am not prepared for marriage or all else that comes with it. What bothers me most being a 21-year-old college student in a serious relationship is the question, "So. Do you think you guys are going to get married?" The answer I give and wish to give are two different things!
Right now, I am perfectly content with how things are. My cousins are a few years older than me and have full-time jobs, homes, and even a sweet little baby. I am in a totally different place in my life, with college, a job at the dining hall, and homework to be worried about. I know that many people my age have gotten married, and some members of my family have gotten married at an age much younger than I am. My advice to girls feeling the pressures from society, family members, or even their partner to get married is this:
Do what feels right to you. If you are content with how things are in your relationship and know that marriage may not be on your agenda, then wait it out. The right person will wait if you are truly meant to be together, and being able to have a wedding day that you dream of should be a joy and not a financial strain. So enjoy dating, enjoy pinning that dream wedding, and enjoy attending your family and friends weddings. Your perfect day with the perfect partner will be here sooner than later!
