Young Love?

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife."

- Pride & Prejudice, chapt. I

Recently I heard, repeatedly, that the marriage age is rising. People are waiting for their careers to take off before saying "I do."

That, at least, is what the statistics say. I find it hard to believe. Most of the people I was friends with in college are married now. And most of them either just graduated or are still in college. Some married at 18. All are well below the 25+ age the statistics cite.

I've grown up believing that waiting was the mature thing to do. Wait until I graduate, then wait until I have a job, then wait until I'm independent, and living on my own. And then, and only then, I can think about marriage. To marry or even date before that point would be irresponsible.

That's what my parents instilled in me, and why I am so resistant to the thought of marrying young. Is it mature and responsible to wait...or selfish? Am I waiting, as I've said, because relationships take energy that with my growing business I would be unable to give? Or am I waiting because being single is easier? I have only to think of myself, and not of the happiness of another, after all...

I doubt I'll change my stance. I don't feel ready, and I've always trusted that when the time was right, Papa would let me know. Still, it's something to think about.