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Joy,
I am twenty-one years old and I have been with my boyfriend since high school. Everyone says we are great together and affirms our relationship. We’re in college and have no debt–but I keep hearing statistics that younger couples getting married is not a recipe for success.
Since you’re so much older, wiser, etc., what do you think? Should we not get married?
-Sophia
_______
Sophia
Now that I feel adequately like a geriatric…lets begin with my “older person” answer.
I was going to answer this question with my friend Stephanie, (who is also nearing retirement age) but her daughter Brynn ended up being more of a fit and evened out the age demographic.
In all seriousness, I do agree with you… it’s usually not wise for sixteen or seventeen year olds to get married because of the obstacles that they may face, but those obstacles are usually due to maturity. However, based on how you asked the question, it seems like you are more mature, in community, and thinking broadly about the future and have taken wise steps to get where you are today.
Here’s the thing: what’s important when choosing marriage is maturity… not age.
So, relax and lets chat about this more with a wise little youngin’ who has some words for you!
_______
From my heart,
Joy and Brynn (with a dash of Steph and Beck)
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(Sort of unrelated, but here’s why Steph left LRN–in song form.)
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Love and Respect (Now) is a division of Love and Respect. Please be considerate.
So young yet so wise… one relevant question to ask about age is if you want to have kids, and how many, and it does have to do with the “eggs”. However, most people seem to want and have kids for the wrong reasons so that should be further considered.
Related to what Joy mentioned, some pastors are willing to do pre-engagement counseling (similar to premarital, without the pressure), to see what your “blind spots” are and what you should work on now to prepare for marriage, and even to assess if it is a mistake. I did that and highly suggest it.
You’re already on the right track of the “do’s and don’ts” of marriage by following Joy Eggeriches posts! You’re preventing yourself from being the ones that say “I wish I knew then what I know now!” You know it already and all you have to do is apply it once you get married ^_^
Beth Botheras thinks...
Get married young, cause your eggs will be fresh! Oh my word! Too funny!
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