Friday, July 22, 2011

Watch Your Toes

     Back in June, I had to write a paper over a news story that captures a current event or issue happening in today’s society. After we posted our story to the discussion wall, we had to comment on 7 other people’s story. I logged in today to respond to different stories, and was overwhelmingly surprised that I had the most comments posted about my story. As I started reading every response, not only did every person agree with me, they made my opinion towards the issue even stronger. The issue I wrote about was the importance of marriage and how celebrities’ actions toward marriage are affecting the younger generation. Reading everyone’s posts got me so worked up, that I just decided to blog about it.

     One of my biggest pet peeves is watching people treat love and marriage like it’s a joke. It blows my mind how celebrities will get married after 4 months of knowing each other and then divorce within a few years or less. Or the fact that celebs think it’s okay to cheat on their spouse. Their actions have a huge impact on the younger crowd, because teens look up to celebs and want to be like them, so they see the type of things they are doing and think those actions are acceptable. Wrong. Now I’m not blaming celebs for everything, because I have watched many people I know rush into things and then they are surprised when it doesn’t work out. My question..

WHAT’S THE RUSH?

     It takes a lifetime to get to know everything about someone. My dad even told a story the other day to my mom, and she never knew that about him and they have been married 30 years. If you love someone, and they love you.. you owe it to each other to learn the ins and outs of that person. That way when you get married, something doesn’t surprised you, and you decide you want out. That’s immature. Because not only will you both suffer, if issues carry over into when you have children, then you are just asking for your children to be unhappy. Not to mention, if your other half really loves you, they aren’t going to bolt if you decide you want to take it slow and be in a long relationship before taking that next step. 

     I really don’t care if this steps on people’s toes, because I’m not trying to upset anyone. If anything, I hope people will stop and realize what I’m saying is right. I fully support marriage, but it’s a lifelong commitment. If you plan on spending your entire life with the same person, then make sure they are the right one before jumping into something so serious. Do it for all the right reasons, or don't do it at all. 

     I’m only 21, and after a year of a lot of learning, I would be 100% happy to wait till I am older to get married. I see so many of my friends getting married, and I am overjoyed for them. Especially when I have seen their relationships play out over the past several years and seen the happiness they share.  But not once have I felt pressured to “catch up” to everyone. I’ve never been happier. There are too many things I want to do before I settle down. I wouldn’t want my life any other way, but I know the next relationship I get into, I’ll take it slow and make sure someone is crazy in love with me and will stay that way for the rest of my life. It’s worth it to me to take a relationship slow, to make sure I’ll be spending 60+ years with someone that isn’t ever going to fall out of love or have seconds thoughts about us. Just be mature and take it seriously. It's a big deal people. Take the time to find the absolute best for yourself.

“Maturity is achieved when a person postpones immediate pleasures for long-term values.”