The Husband and I married nine years ago this month. I was 29 years old and muuuuuuch older than I imagined I would be when I finally walked down the aisle. I mean, I did not go to college to collect an MRS. degree. But I figured I would meet the guy I was going to spend the rest of my life with while I was getting my undergraduate degree. After all, that’s how it happens for a lot of people, right?
Not for me! I graduated from college without a special guy in my life. And so I entered the working world as a single gal, wondering if, how, and when I’d meet Mr. Right.
(The funny thing is, I met him pretty soon after I finished college. I just didn’t know it at the time…nor was I ready for him then!)
I laugh as I think back on my seven years of single gal life, when I worried about becoming an old maid. I can honestly say now that I enjoyed my time as an unmarried professional woman–my life was mine, as was my money, my time, my sleep, my food…However, I spent many of those seven years wondering if I would ever meet the right guy and live happily ever after.
Life is full of what ifs and woulda-coulda-shouldas. I can look back on my single gal fretting and smile because I know it turned out well. I find it hard to imagine my life without The Husband and am so glad we are spending our lives together.
Still, sometimes I wonder what life would look like today had my life followed the get-married-right-out-of-college plan I had laid out. I would’ve married at age 23, or even younger.
Would I be as happy as I am today?
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This post is written in response to I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced, the SVMoms Blog Book Club selection for May. I was given a free copy of this book to read and discuss on my blog. Read more responses to the book here at DC Metro Moms!
I often end up in the “what’s the right age to marry” conversation with friends. I think pre-30 is young because you’re still finding yourself. Though, people find themselves at different times, but I believe, generally speaking, it’s around age 30. The people who got married at 23 and stayed married for a long time are the lucky ones who grew together in the same manner. Unfortunately, the early 20’s are such a time of change, that the odds are that you will grow apart, not in the same direction. I didn’t believe my mom when she told me that at 18, but I believe it now.
I spent most of my 20’s in a relationship that didn’t work out, and when it ended, and I was 29, I had to start over. But first, I had to figure out who I was. I wonder if I would have found my true self sooner if I didn’t spend 6 years with someone. And I would have been married at 31 or so. Not getting married this summer at 37. Eek! ha ha.
I got married when I was 24. Definitely way before I had intended to. I imagined being single into my thirties and then settling down. But when you meet the right person, you just have to roll with it. It is hard being a ‘young bride’, sometimes I wonder if I missed out on some single fun. Luckily I picked early but picked a keeper, he has allowed me to be whoever I want to be, 20 or 30. We seem to manage to grow back together if life ever managed to force is to grow apart. I think it is 50% luck, 50% hard work.
Torie Black´s last blog ..Book Club: I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced
I got married right after college, NOT according to my plan. I had thought I would be a single woman in the working world for at LEAST 3ish years. I thought my future husband and I would have large savings to buy a house (in the OC) and would start our family in surban bliss. Nope. I’m 29 and about to pop with baby #3 renting a condo.
Love that Nujood made you think of the expectations of age and marriage!
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