Unlike many other college students, I walk around campus with two metal bands on my left-hand ring finger. I am a 21-year-old college student who is married. Surprise! Although this is no new surprise to my friends, it does seem to stun other students and professors alike.
I have had many people ask me how I can continue to pursue my education and, in fact, I have even had a certain individual (or individuals) ask me why I decided to get married while still in college. To those individuals who question marriage before graduation, this article is for you.
On May 24, 2008, I stood at the back of the church with my dad hooked on my arm. When the bridal music began and everyone stood, we made the journey down the aisle to the man who would soon be my husband. After the wedding and honeymoon were over, it was back to reality. My husband and I began the never-ending task of going to work and paying bills. Three months later, it was back to school.
Since last August, together we have juggled work, school and marital life. Of course things are much different now than they were last year, but I couldn’t ask for a better life. Everyday when I come home I know I have a best friend who will always be there for me. We are a team and as the old saying goes, “together we achieve more.” We constantly encourage each other to achieve goals and try to maintain a social life with our closest friends.
How can we both continue to pursue our education while married? It is a question that, to us, was never an option. Going into the marriage we knew that we each wanted to finish our college career without taking a break. It’s not always easy to do homework at the end of the night but we both know that must be done. The motivation to succeed and the idea of approaching graduation is what ultimately drives us to complete college. It is possible that we might even go to graduate school.
As to why I decided to get married while still in college, the answer was simple. We had known each other for years and had talked about marriage. When we did actually get engaged it was no surprise. To us, it did not matter if we were still in college or not. It would only be a little bit longer until we graduated and together we could make it until that point. Luckily, we will each be graduating in December 2009. Of course I will be leaving SHSU and he will become an alumnus of Texas A&M.
The point of this article is not to encourage or to discourage individuals to become married during college. There are advantages and disadvantages to every situation and every couple is unique. Instead, the goal is simply to satisfy the curious needs of others.