HE Said…
Graduation is approaching and the temptation may be there to marry your college sweetheart right after you accept that diploma. If you do that, you deserve to be given a thousand paper cuts. If not now, when is it the right time to get married and when is it too young?
A person should get married when they feel that they are mature enough to handle the responsibility. Unlike 15 year old Bobbi Sue and 19 year old Clifford that you see on Jerry Springer with the combined mental capacity of a box of paperclips, you have a solid head on your shoulders (I’d think so, after all, you are reading my column). Think things over. Realize that you are going to be known as “Mr. and Mrs.” You are going to have to file as married instead of single on your taxes. If anything bothers you (i.e. nail biting, leaving the seat up, or in Bobbi Sue and Clifford’s case leaving the door to the trailer open), after years, it still will be “until death do us part.”
Maturity is important but so is finding the right person. Just because someone looks good now doesn’t guarantee they will years from now. My advice, look at their parents. Guys, if you meet a girl with a mom that looks just as good as your girl does, take note. If you meet a mom that looks like a three-week old hot dog; I hope you are too kind or partially blind. I’m sure she must have a great personality. Which brings me to my next point. Get approval from your friends, they are a better judges of character than you are when you are smitten. Putting that ring around your finger puts an invisible noose around your neck.
Marriage is an institution that should remain sacred. It’s not something that should be broken off easily with divorce papers. Give some thought to the person you are with. If you can picture them on the toilet doing what they do and that still puts a smile on your face maybe that’s a good sign. People make fun of our generation for being slackers and irresponsible. Prove them wrong by being responsible and finding someone right.
SHE Said…
Over Alumni Weekend this year, I ran into three recent grads with sparkling rocks on each of their ring fingers. It made me a little nauseous. I have to admit that seeing people, who are only a few years older than me, getting engaged makes me nervous.
I still feel like I’m a kid. I have no job, no responsibilities and no money. (I know, it’s pathetic.) I definitely need to get it together before I can even consider walking down the aisle. Personally, my early 20s is way too young to be a Mrs., unless my boyfriend wins Powerball.
But still, I think it’s important to enjoy a couple of fun and exciting post-college years. At age 23, no one should be ready to settle down. Playing house is fine and dandy, though I’m not condoning cohabitation at this ‘holier than thou Jesuit university.’ I’m just implying that marriage is a serious and life-altering commitment.
I’ve seen too many divorces that have resulted from a young bride and groom. So, I think it’s extremely important to be overly cautious. Besides, once you get married, that’s it, you become a permanent grown-up. Soon, we’ll all have to grow out of our Peter Pan syndrome, but not yet!
It’s weird to think about it, but when my mom was my age she was married with three kids. But that was the norm back then, couples are waiting longer now before they say, “I do.”
It’s always fun to fantasize about your wedding- the perfect guy, the perfect dress, the perfect day. But don’t rush it. You have plenty of time to become someone’s little wifey and run around after a “rat pack” of kids. My father always tells me “don’t wish your life away.”
I guess marriage is different for everyone. As for how old you should be, just make sure you’re in love, make sure your ready and make sure you sign a prenup.
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