Marriage. Already?

According to Dr. Neil Clark Warren women are getting married later in life than ever before, and males aren’t far behind.

To me, this makes perfect sense. I have been in a few serious relationships, but I can’t really imagine getting married, at least not right now. There is so much more that I need to accomplish before I can distract myself with that kind of commitment. Step one is graduating college! However, lately I’ve learned that this is not the case for everyone my age…

Within the last few months I have been invited to two weddings. Both were fraternity brothers, but they were both older and out of school. This was shocking to me, I mean, I know these guys, I have done some stupid stuff with them, and I can only assume all of that is now over for them. But I accepted their decision, they have careers, and good heads on their shoulders. Also, they aren’t here anymore, so it doesn’t have a direct impact on me.

Last night, everything changed. I was sitting at a local bar, having a few drinks with some friends, and truly enjoying the single life. I was flirting with some girls, and the bartender gave me a note that said, “How would you like to be my next ex-boyfriend?” I didn’t quite get it, but the next note had her number on it, so I got the point.

Then I heard someone say, “Jeremy is engaged.” I turned around, and I recognized the girl who said it. I asked a few questions, hesitating a little with each one, and then I saw a picture of a hand with a ring. It wasn’t just any hand it was the hand of my roommates FIANCE!

Needless to say, I wasn’t quite sure how to react. It was this crazy mix of emotions, everything from confusion, to a little anger, to happiness. I mean he is one of my best friends, after all. I think I was angry because he didn’t tell us, and confused because he is actually going to get married at 22 years old.

I can’t help but get a little scared about this stuff. Life is basically supposed to go down a set path, right? It goes high school, college, job, wife, kids, etc, etc. Eventually you end up in Boca enjoying the world of cribbage and Frank Sinatra music. I guess some other stuff happens, but nothing really outside of those major events. What I realized when I heard this news last night is that I am almost at the “wife” point in my life, and that’s kind of scary!

Maybe it’s the friends I picked, maybe it’s the state I live in, or maybe it’s the school I go to, but marriage already? I guess the first step is learning how to accept and congratulate people. All I can do now is wonder who’s next, and hope that it’s not me. Because as far as I’m concerned these next few years are me time, not marriage time.