April 28, 2017 I did one of the biggest things someone does in their life. I decided to take my best friends last name. I decided that my life is no longer just mine, it is ours. I decided that I have another person to enjoy all the bittersweet moments. I decided that this was going to be the person I would build my life with. Buy a house, have kids, and grow old together. I decided on April 28 that I am only committed to one person, and that one person is Alexander Joseph Stallins.
I never thought in a million years that I would have got married before I turned 21. I never thought I would marry someone only 6 months into our relationship. I never thought that I would leave everything, pick up and move 14 hours away, and start all over again for one person. I never thought that I would be this happy, and in love at the age of 21.
Some people were shocked we got engaged so fast, and some people just saw it coming. I guess when you and your boyfriend/girlfriend work so well together, time doesn't matter. Time definitely doesn't matter for AJ and I! I had many people tell me that we were "relationship goals", that we give people a reason to believe that there is such thing as true love. AJ and I are two peas in a pod. We fight like a married couple, we talk like best friends, we flirt like first loves, and we protect each other like brother and sister.
Even though we got married before I was 21 doesn't mean we are crazy.
I love my husband more than life itself, but when people say marriage is hard they weren't lying. We've been married a month, and there has definitely been some ups and downs. We've argued about stupid stuff, and we've argued about important things. We've spend the entire day giggling and loving each other, and we've spent an entire day laying on the couches. If you marry the right person all the hard times are forgotten about, and all the memories are when you go into tickle fights, or chased each other through the house.
When you marry the right person, marriage is easy. Sometimes your spouse drives you up the wall, or even to the point you want to kill him. But at the end of the day, you have dinner together, and cuddle up in your bed. And right before you fall asleep, you kiss and say "I love you, good night."
You can't marry someone for the benefits, or because sometimes you have good moments. You can't marry someone because you're having a kid together, or because it's what your parents want. You have to marry someone that you can yell and scream at, but you still say I love you. Someone that understands all your little corks and knows how to deal with you when your mad. Someone willing to put 100% effort to making the marriage great every single day.
Marry someone you love everyday, through thick and thin. In sickness and heath, on good days and bad. You will love them unconditionally, and give your heart and soul. Love them the way that you want to be loved.
One day your person will come into your life, and you will finally understand why nothing else worked out. Why that boy in college cheated on you, why your high school sweat heart broke up with right after you graduated. You won't understand how someone can love you so unconditionally despite the hell you put them through. One day, that person will ask you to marry them, and you damn well better say yes.
Time doesn't define someone's love or happiness, the person themselves does that. Good luck to all my fellow "young" people, who are young and madly in love. Be prepared for the hard times, and remember the good times. Marriage is a beautiful roller coast.
