Every time I log onto any social media account, I am bombarded with images of romantic proposals, huge engagement rings, and wedding pictures. Like the robot that I am, I comment, "Congratulations," under all of the pictures and posts. It doesn't matter that I haven't spoken one word to this guy since high school or that I know I won't receive an invitation to the wedding. I then spend time wondering why someone who is the same age as me (or younger) is about to get married and I'm single as a Pringle. After getting sad for a millisecond, I quickly snap myself out of it because I know I am nowhere near ready to get married.

Although I am sure that a lot of couples are getting engaged because they actually love and care for each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together, I can't help but wonder if marriage has turned into a trend. A friend of mine recently wrote an article about how people spend so much time planning their weddings on Pinterest boards that it turns the entire ceremony into something that is more materialistic. Yes, it is almost every girl's dream to have a beautiful wedding filled with family and friends. But is that fantasy and a cute Instagram picture enough reason to say "I do" to someone? How many people are getting engaged and married because everyone else is doing it and they feel some sort of pressure? I'm willing to bet that it's way more than people are willing to admit.

I have never been one to follow the crowd and that is something that I am extremely proud of. I just wish that I could project that onto others. There is nothing more sad than two people who overestimate their love for each other and find themselves in a marriage that they don't want anymore. All of that time forcing something, they could have been living a life that came much easier. I can completely understand wanting to relieve the pressure put on your shoulders after seeing a couple who haven't been dating as long get engaged and begin their happily ever after. But you have to remember that what you see online is nowhere near the full story.

Who am I to try to offer up advice and I don't even have a boyfriend? Absolutely nobody. But I am someone who believes that marriage should be a carefully and well thought out process. There are things that the both of you should know about each other so that you can accept the good and the bad and move on. I am all for a beautiful wedding ceremony and perfectly filtered Instagram pictures. However, I refuse to sacrifice a lifetime full of happiness in order to keep up with the latest trend.