First, I want to start by saying thank you. Thank you so much for being exactly the motivation I needed in a time I didn't know I needed it. Thank you for tearing my confidence and happiness down.
Second, I want to say you're wrong. You're wrong about where I am in life. You're wrong about my relationship not being perfect enough, and you're most certainly wrong about the amount of love I have in my heart.
I am not "throwing my life away" by becoming engaged to the man of my dreams at 18-years-old. I am not going to "miss all the experiences as a young adult." I am going to have all the fun I can possibly have in my youth, holding the hand of my gorgeously handsome husband who looks at me as though I radiate stardust when I wake. I am reminded day in and day out that I am worthy, intelligent, artistic, beautiful, caring and so much more each day. If you think I have to wait until a certain age to have this kind of love, you are wrong.
Young people, please do not quake in the words of your elders. Do not let the hateful tone in their voices quiet you. Each and every person has a passion inside them, and as we get older, it is pushed deeper and deeper, until one day it is gone forever. Do not let your passion disappear and do not let it dwindle. Even if you make the wrong choices, what will it really matter? Who will truly be penalized other than yourself? Always follow your heart no matter how many people tell you it is wrong. Go to that party. Eat that last bit of ice cream. Marry the man of your dreams!
I've seen all the funny posts that read, "Getting married at 20 sounds a lot like leaving the party at 9:30 p.m." I would just like to say, whoever wrote that is completely correct. My fiancé and I leave parties early every single time. The reason is because we don't have to pretend we like everyone there or that the gross music is almost appealing. We leave parties and we go home. Sometimes we get ice cream or something, but most of the time we just go home. We get home, and we change out of the uncomfortable clothes we were wearing to impress others and get into our pajamas. I take off my makeup, put my hair down and kick off my high heels. This is my safe place. This is my place where I can be who I want to be and I know that I will not have any repercussions for who I genuinely am. This is our oasis. We will probably order Chinese or something that the Waitr app can pick up because we are in for the night. While you are at the party you won't remember tonight, I'm eating fried rice and watching "Game of Thrones" with the man I am engaged to, and the father of our future children. The security in knowing this is one of the most comforting things I have ever felt and I will continue to cherish.
Once more, thank you to those who doubted us and thank you for fueling our fire of self love and commitment.
