10 Reasons Getting Married Young is Worth It.

So many people thought my husband and I were nuts when we got married. I was barely 19, still in school, and planning to move across the country with the love of my life. We smiled through the nervous/concerned family members and friends offering kind advice, and we determined that we would make it work.

And through it all, I know it was the greatest decision of my life. Here are 10 reasons why getting married young is worth it:

1. You motivate each other. Some mornings, my husband is the sole reason I get up and go to class/work, even when I just want 2 more hours of sleep, but I know it will all be worth it when we reach our goals.
2. You officially get out of the dating pool. It is glorious to step out of the awkward phase of dating. Sure, it can be a lot of fun to meet all kinds of new people, but there comes a point where we all get fed up with the dating games.
3. You have a built-in best friend. Nothing is greater than spending all of your evenings next to your best friend watching Netflix and eating your favorite snack, or going out (I prefer Netflix myself).
4. You're only half as poor! It's true, when you get married you have another person to worry about. You have future plans and goals. So you pool your finances and make sure not to just go blow all of your money on a shopping spree (even if you wish you could sometimes).
5. You're happier. Never in my life have I been so happy. My husband is always striving to fulfill my needs and wants, and I do the same for him. We fill each other up more and more each day, and when I go to bed at night, I know I've never felt so loved, so cared about, and so happy with my life.
6. You can relax. I like to think that I was always pretty comfortable in my own skin, but sharing every single weird piece of my personality with someone else is so much fun.
7. Your future seems that much closer. Getting married at a young age wasn't really in my plans, but it sure did make me realize that the future and all the things I have worked for are just around the corner.
8. You learn more about yourself. I never had to analyze my living style before I got married, even when I lived with a roommate. But as soon as you get married, you realize that maybe the little things you thought were normal are really annoying and weird. And then you get better at being less annoying.
9. You develop new talents. Never in my life have I been so talented as I am now. I started sewing, painting furniture, and reupholstering old chairs; and I became a chef, baker, multi-tasker, electronic genius, and (unofficial) intramural soccer cheerleader/coach.
and,
10. You get to share your life with the person you love. I cannot imagine sharing my life with anybody else next to me. Just the simple fact that he knows me and understands who I am as a person makes me feel complete.

There you have it, being a young wife doesn't mean your life is over or that you can't have fun anymore. The journey of life has only been better since I decided share it with my favorite boy. Growing old next to him is the greatest blessing I have, and I wouldn't change a single moment of the last 9 months of being married to my best friend.

To my favorite boy: Thanks for all the laughs over the last 9 months. You are the best. I love you!

Friday.

I promise one day soon I will be a better blogger.

Today, though, it's a busy day for me.

Until next time.

September.

The semester is in full swing!

How can I tell?

Well, two papers, three tests, tons of homework, forgetting to blog, etc.

Only a couple more semesters! Happy Wednesday.

Marital Equality.

Some quotes about marriage to sum up my day:

1. "Sometimes you can't give 100%. You just can't."
2. "Give it all you've got because you're dedicated to the success of your family."
3. "The Lord doesn't always take away these moments because we need to grow from them."

And my personal favorite...

4. "If we accept each other's best, we will realize that 'equal' is a lot easier to find."

Marriages are meant to be equal partnerships. We are to love each other and to accept the triumphs and challenges of each other. Know that you don't have to be perfect and that if you give it your all, that is good enough. Husbands and wives, don't be critical of each other. Learn daily and be understanding. Let the Spirit have influence in your home, and you will be happy.

Friday.

Sorry I missed blogging yesterday.

Today, I only have one thing to share, and I really hope you read it and absorb what it means.

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.