Ah, young, in love, and engaged (or married) - sounds like a recipe for happiness, right? You've finally found someone you want to spend the rest of your life with (whoa), so you should be thrilled for the future. However, you'd be surprised how badly your happiness can be damaged by the weight of those who judge.
Society typically expects people to wait to get married until their late 20s or 30s. It's become the new norm. They're older so naturally they must be wiser. Being young is not synonymous with dumb, reckless, or prone to make bad decisions. Should I say it louder for the people in the back?
Recently, I've seen a spark in engagements on my social media timelines as early 20-somethings show off their proposals or rings and their super cheesy yet adorable hashtags they've created for their journey to their Big Day (I'm in need of one, if anyone has any ideas). I feel like the tides are turning and young marriages are making a comeback. Good or bad, I have no idea and I'm not sure there's a correct answer. I personally don't care if you get married at 18 or at 89 - if there is mutual love, support, trust and loyalty, I fully support your marriage.
My parents got married when they were 21. My grandma got married when she was 17. My sister will be 27 and I will be 24.
It doesn't matter how old you are when you get married as long as you love the person you'll be walking down the aisle toward (or who will be walking down the aisle toward you). There is no age limit for love. There is no way to measure it. Love is love, and only the two people involved can feel what their love is like. If they're ready for marriage, then celebrate with them - do not judge them.
I know I'm young, I know my life is only beginning, but I know who I want by my side through the rest of it, so why wait? There's no rush, but there's also no reason to wait. For what? Until I'm 29 so it's more socially acceptable? Screw society, the only thing it's done for me is ruin my self-esteem by telling me what I'm supposed to look like, act like, and feel like.
I will walk down that aisle when I want, wearing what I want, wherever I want, and my only wish is that everyone who is there for my special day will be there with nothing but love and support. If your heart isn't full of those two things for my future husband and I, then please do not come. If that's the case, your presence, along with your judgement, are not welcome.
This life we live is hard. It's not always kind. To find someone who makes it bearable is a blessing. Let's celebrate the love we have and the love others have instead of tearing them down for it. Do not label someone's decision as a "mistake" by correlating their age and their decision.
All I want is to say "I do" surrounded by family and friends who aren't passing judgement on my age, but are instead celebrating the amount of love Michael and I have for each other, which is infinitely grander.
