Over the summer, I got engaged to my best friend and boyfriend of nearly three years. I was a bit afraid people would judge me once I got back to school, telling me I am too young to be engaged or get married, but I came to see that my experience has been a lot different than I thought it would be. Here are some things I have learned so far being engaged in college.
People will be happy for youWhen people find out I am engaged, they seem to be really happy for me. I originally thought people would judge me for getting engaged so young, but my friends and family have all been excited about the new relationship status. If anyone has been skeptical, they are doing a good job of not showing it.
People want to know all the detailsMy fiancé and I decided on a wedding date for the summer after I graduate; that way I am able to focus on finishing school. It will be great to have nearly two years to plan my wedding because I want it to be a fun and enjoyable process (since I only plan on doing it once). Regardless of this distant wedding date, when people find out I am engaged, they are curious to know everything I have thought about so far- from the venue to the theme, to how many people will be in the wedding party. Wedding planning, even in the initial stages, can be overwhelming; especially between balancing school and work on top of it. I know that people only mean well when they offer up ideas and suggestions regarding the wedding!
My college experience has not changedA lot of people in their early 20’s are still trying to figure themselves out and narrow down the kind of career path they want to follow. Being engaged young means simultaneously planning your career and a life with someone else, which can be scary to some people. My fiancé and I don’t get upset with each other if the other person decides to do something with friends after work or school, or on the weekends. We have different schedules. I think it is a huge misconception that people give up their social lives when in a committed relationship because I have personally found that to be false.
I love that I met my SO young because that means I have so much time left with the person who makes me enjoy life that much more. Being engaged young has taught me about the kind of person I am and the kind of person I want to become.