On June 1, 2015, my family and I made the big move from Chicago to Phoenix. Shortly after, my life was ridden with anxiety and my brain was flooded with “what now?” questions constantly. Defeated, deflated and damaged, I fell to my knees and begged God where my life was headed in such an unfamiliar place. I started college and shortly after, my prayers were answered. I met this boy on September 1st. This boy, this big gentle spirit in such gorgeous skin...I was awakened that day. 10 months later, he got down on one knee and changed my life forever.
I had no idea what I needed when I felt lost; I couldn’t tell if I was experiencing true depression or the desert heat was getting to me. When you surrender all and not lean on what you believe your life is supposed to be, you will be pleasantly surprised. I did exactly this, and had no idea this man was really all I needed to get through my everyday struggles. Immediately, I was flooded with support and happiness from family and friends. This is a wonderful feeling, because through all of that, there is a little negativity like this:
“You are too young for marriage.”
“You need to experience life before you settle down.”
“It’s too soon, you need more time together.”
“I wonder how long that will last.”
I completely understand all of this, really, I do! Due to the nation’s increasing divorce rates and social norms that have been established, it is understandable that marrying young can be frowned upon. I have one simple response for these kind of statements: Love is an unexpected gift from God, not a trend. In order to show to others that I truly mean this, I need to remind them that a wedding is every girl’s dream, but spending the rest of my life with my best friend is what I am truly excited for. Life travels down different paths for everyone, and that is the beauty of it.
Being engaged as a teenager has its social negativities, but it’s also fun! A few days ago, I decided to try on wedding dresses for the first time. After, my mom and I drove to the nearest restaurant to celebrate with food, one of my favorite things in the world. After we sparked conversation with a stranger, I told him we were just out wedding dress shopping. After finally convincing him it was my wedding (I was wearing a t-shirt that spelled out BRIDE in bold), he gave me a big congratulations!
Along with the fun I have with confirming my age to others when they see the ring on my finger, being engaged young has so many others benefits. My husband and I will grow together through adulthood, we already started working towards our life goals, and the majority of my life will be dedicated to taking adventures and living large with my best friend by my side. Marriage is not a prison, a barricade in life, or a temporary honeymoon. Marriage is a gift that is shared between two souls who love each other unconditionally and endlessly.
“Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Matthew 19:6
