Often times, college is perceived as the time to “experience the world” or “play the field”. It’s the time before you have to be a “real adult” in society. Balancing work and academics and a social life is borderline impossible, so it seems crazy to throw a long-term relationship and planning a wedding into the mix, right? For some, this crazy idea may seem like a long shot, but for me, it’s a reality.
Despite the current hookup culture trends of today’s world, I’m very proud to say that I’m engaged to my best friend and high school sweetheart (and will be married Sept. 8, 2018!). A lot of people, upon hearing the news, were skeptical of a college engagement. I’m constantly asked, and still are asked, “Aren’t you sad you’ll never be able to date again?” or “Why didn’t you just wait until you graduated to get engaged?” or even “How do you know he’s the one, you’re so young, there could be someone else out there.”
The author and her fiancé
There’s no possible way of knowing the person you’re currently dating is “the one”. There’s a part of you that just knows it deep down in your heart. You can’t picture going through life without them by your side. They make you the best version of yourself. He makes me happy, he puts me first, he loves me unconditionally, he supports my dreams and he knows all of my faults and chooses to love me anyway. That to me says, “Husband material”.
A lot of people I know are also in long-term relationships and don’t plan on getting engaged for a while, and that’s okay too. There is no timeline for love, and that means that what makes sense for one couple may not make sense for my relationship. I’ve never once thought of my being engaged as “settling down” either. It’s merely a promise to him that I never intend on going anywhere.
Photo taken by author
Being engaged is so much more than wearing a diamond ring on your left ring finger; it’s a full- fledged adult commitment, a huge leap for someone that’s only 21 years old. It’s not all fun and games either, there’s a lot of stress that comes along with it as well. Planning a wedding may seem like a ton of fun (and don’t get me wrong, a lot of it is), but a good portion of it causes a lot of stress. Some may wonder if it’s worth it, and I wholeheartedly believe that it is.
Sometimes when I tell people I meet that I’m engaged they’re quick to jump to conclusions, and I don’t blame them. It’s not typically normal for a 21-year old college student to be engaged to her long time high school boyfriend. I get it, it’s pretty surprising! Choosing to be engaged, and on top of that having a long engagement, is a decision me and my fiancé will never regret making.