19 and Married

I hate the questions and comments I got. 

"Why are you doing this? You have your whole life ahead of you."

"You are still a teenager, what do you know about marriage?" 

"You have your whole life to get married."

"Why do you want to be tied down?" 

and then there was the worst. 

"wow... marriage!... congratulations!..." 

They tried to be happy for me, but I could see the judgement behind their eyes and hear the questioning in their voice. 

I just have a few things to say to those questions. 

I do have my whole life ahead of me. And I feel to fortunate that I get to spend it with someone whom I love and adore. 

I am a teenager and I may not know a lot about marriage, but I want to learn how to have a successful relationship early so I don't have to experience years and years of heart break. And not only do I want to learn, but I want to learn with my best friend. 

I do have my whole life to get married, so why not now? I want my whole life to be with the one I love. 

I am not tied down. If you think marrying your best friend ties you down, then you have some other issues you need to work on. 

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Now, I will be frank with you. I did give up a lot when I got married. 

I gave up my time. I gave up my money. I gave up my freedom to do what I want when I want. I gave up my body. I gave up every last part of myself. 

But that does not compare to what I gained. 

I got someone who is committed to me forever. I get to have a sleepover with my best friend every night. I got a man who loves me. I get the opportunity to start building a healthy relationship  for my future family. I will get to have children. I get to depend on someone I love. 

I would not take back anything. I love living with my best friend and I am so glad that I chose to get married. I will forever be grateful for my best friend.