Life doesn't always follow traditional plan
By Nicole Reitz
Last Updated:1:54 PM EST 3/12/08 Section: Viewpoint
As a high school student, I thought that at as a senior in college, I would have everything figured out.
I would graduate Cum Laude, know exactly where I wanted to live and might even be engaged.
I am a year from walking across the stage at Blue Cross Arena, and if I shook a magic eight ball I can bet it would point to 'outlook not so good' or 'cannot predict now.'
Lets go back to the marriage point. I was in my first wedding at 18, wearing a violet dress that could double as lingerie and fake alligator skin heels that made me tower over the other bridesmaids.
I had fun at the reception and taking pictures next to old fashioned cars, but I couldn't imagine this being me in less than five years.
I am going to be legal this year, and realized that my mother was married at 21.
Scary thought.
The most I have thought about concerning marriage is the song I want to dance to during the father daughter dance, which is Sweet Child O' Mine, if you were curious.
Shows such as MTV's Engaged and Underaged seem to forget that marriage is a lot of work.
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but the reality is that most marriages do not last forever.
I have also given thought to if marriage just isn't for me.
I have three unmarried aunts without children and I admire them.
Each one of my aunts is independent, constantly books trips to tropical destinations and is happy with her career.
I am grateful that I live in a country where I will be not be forced into an arranged marriage and an age where being single isn't a death sentence.
I have non-religious friends who think that marriage is just a piece of paper, and two friends that are tying the knot this summer.
I have to agree with the first group that marriage is a legal sanction, and you do not necessarily need to be married in order to be or have a family.
But at the same time, security and starting a life with someone is appealing.
Juniors and seniors are at a pivotal time in their lives, which include making serious decisions on top of pulling all-nighters and applying to internships or graduate schools.
What I am getting at is that life doesn't stick to the plans we originally had in mind.
I would graduate Cum Laude, know exactly where I wanted to live and might even be engaged.
I am a year from walking across the stage at Blue Cross Arena, and if I shook a magic eight ball I can bet it would point to 'outlook not so good' or 'cannot predict now.'
Lets go back to the marriage point. I was in my first wedding at 18, wearing a violet dress that could double as lingerie and fake alligator skin heels that made me tower over the other bridesmaids.
I had fun at the reception and taking pictures next to old fashioned cars, but I couldn't imagine this being me in less than five years.
I am going to be legal this year, and realized that my mother was married at 21.
Scary thought.
The most I have thought about concerning marriage is the song I want to dance to during the father daughter dance, which is Sweet Child O' Mine, if you were curious.
Shows such as MTV's Engaged and Underaged seem to forget that marriage is a lot of work.
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but the reality is that most marriages do not last forever.
I have also given thought to if marriage just isn't for me.
I have three unmarried aunts without children and I admire them.
Each one of my aunts is independent, constantly books trips to tropical destinations and is happy with her career.
I am grateful that I live in a country where I will be not be forced into an arranged marriage and an age where being single isn't a death sentence.
I have non-religious friends who think that marriage is just a piece of paper, and two friends that are tying the knot this summer.
I have to agree with the first group that marriage is a legal sanction, and you do not necessarily need to be married in order to be or have a family.
But at the same time, security and starting a life with someone is appealing.
Juniors and seniors are at a pivotal time in their lives, which include making serious decisions on top of pulling all-nighters and applying to internships or graduate schools.
What I am getting at is that life doesn't stick to the plans we originally had in mind.
Be the first to comment on this story