I'm 22, Married and My Life Didn't Stop!

It's always interesting to me how so many people frown upon the idea of marrying young. In my mind, getting married isn't about your age, it's about your life goals and expectations. One of the most ridiculous articles I read was "23 Things to Do Instead of Getting Engaged Before You're 23". There is only one thing that article made clear to me. The person who wrote it is definitely not ready to get married.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to be single and free to do whatever you went, whenever you want. Of course, if that's your mindset, you probably aren't ready for marriage. You're also probably not ready to accept adulthood and all of the responsibilities that come with that either. However, if you're 20 years old and you're ready to share your everyday life with someone (the ups, the downs, and the adult responsibilities) and aren't expecting marriage to be a "passionate adventure" (like the girls on The Bachelor), I don't see the problem.

Anyways, the list in that article made me incredibly annoyed and I wanted to give my own responses to it as a 22 year old married woman. Here's the list, with my answers in red and a few pictures that show proof that life does go on after marriage.

1. Get a passport. 

I'm not entirely sure why you can't travel after you're married. I feel like someone needs to call the airlines and find out! I had a passport long before I turned 23...and I went to visit my now husband in New Zealand three times with it before we got married. We flew to Brisbane, Australia for our one year dating anniversary and we're also going to Europe this year for our 3rd wedding anniversary. 

Meeting Gwith in Auckland, New Zealand

2. Find your “thing.” 

I'm still searching for my exact "thing" but my husband isn't telling me to stop. 

3. Make out with a stranger. 

Read my "Worst Dates Ever" blog. I'm more than happy not making out with strangers. They tend to be creepy.

4. Adopt a pet. 

My husband and I decided to adopt our pet bunny, Willow, together. Honestly, I have no idea how I would manage her on my own. I would never be able to lift her giant cage. Plus, getting a pet makes #1's "Getting a Passport" really silly. If getting a husband makes traveling impossible, imagine getting a pet! They rely on you just to eat. 

Holiday Photo 2012 with Willow.

5. Start a band. 

I'm a singer and my husband isn't stopping me from following my dreams. 

6. Make a cake. Make a second cake. Have your cake and eat it too. 

I'm actually taking cake decorating classes for the next three weeks. So I made a cake yesterday (my sweet husband went to the grocery store 3 times for me because I kept messing up on ingredients), I'm making another cake next week, and I will be eating it because my husband doesn't actually like cake. I know this isn't *exactly* what the writer meant by "make a cake" (or at least I don't think it is!) but I'm just saying... 

7. Get a tattoo. It’s more permanent than a marriage. 

Ha! This I can't even read without laughing. I hate needles. HATE. HATE. HATE. I love my husband. I'd rather have him be permanent.

8. Explore a new religion. 

I'm not religious and neither is my husband...and again, we don't sit around telling each other not to do things. 

9. Start a small business. 

We're always throwing ideas around and we eventually hope to have a restaurant. 

10.Cut your hair. 

No. I'd rather someone else do this. It sounds scary... If this isn't what you meant, I can still make changes to my hair now that I'm married.

Haircut post-marriage! Unheard of, I know.

11. Date two people at once and see how long it takes to blow up in your face. 

This is just stupid. How old is the person writing this list? There is never a reason to date two people (without them knowing about it) and let them get hurt. No wonder you're not ready for marriage. 

12. Build something with your hands. 

I'm a very artsy person so I did this long before I got married and I can still do it now. Imagine that! I got married and didn't lose my hands! 

13. Accomplish a Pinterest project. 

I don't really spend time on Pinterest but I've got plenty of my own projects to keep me occupied. 

14. Join the Peace Corps. 

Not really my thing. 

15. Disappoint your parents. 

Again, why? First of all, my parents love me unconditionally. Secondly, I'm not 13. I don't feel an overwhelming need to rebel against them at 22 years old. 

16. Watch GIRLS, over and over again. 

I've never seen that. 

17. Eat a jar of Nutella in one sitting. 

Stomach aches aren't fun at any age, single or married. 

18. Make strangers feel uncomfortable in public places. 

I'm again wondering the age of this person... 

19. Sign up for CrossFit. 

Is there a clause on the sign up form that says "not for married women?" 

20. Hangout naked in front of a window. 

I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this even if I was single. 

21. Write your feelings down in a blog. 

Done. (Read some of my most personal latest posts: A New Beginning, Don't Be Jealous of The Girl Trying to Gain Weight, and Confessions from a High School Drop Out)

22. Be selfish. 

What does this even mean? I think about others all the time so I can't just turn that off.

In my opinion, that list isn't written by someone who understands adulthood, let alone marriage. So I agree, if you read the initial list and you still want to party, make out with random strangers, break hearts, and make people uncomfortable in public, don't get married. Instead, jump into your time machine and go back to being in high school.

I've personally had more experiences in my life since I got married. My husband completes me. He helps me find the courage to try new things and discover more about myself. Since we got married I've gone parasailing (I hate heights and I want to do this again), snorkeling (those masks always freaked me out), jet skiing (which I love now!), I got a pet (I've always feared animals), and so much more.

We handle our adult responsibilities as a team and we support each other through thick and thin. When my grandpa died last year, I was afraid to feel attached. I distanced myself from my family and my husband. I told my husband this and instead of getting upset at me, he held me in his arms and understood without any questions. He helped me through this challenging time and I've been able to find my way back to everyone I love.

I'm incredibly happy sharing my life with him. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Do I Look 12 to You?

Today I woke up and when I looked in the mirror I thought, "Hey! I think I'm finally starting to look older! I feel like I finally look 16 instead of 14." Now, keep in mind that I'm clearly old enough to be married for almost two years now, so neither of those are anywhere near my age. I was feeling really proud of this! Then tonight after leaving dinner, my family was waiting for the car and we started talking to these people. We asked them how the food was, which they said was great, and my dad said (and pointed at me), "My daughter's husband is the sous chef here!" Their response: "Wow! You're married? Isn't 12 a little too young to be married?" Aw man. And here I was so proud that I thought I finally looked at least 16. I admit, I'm a little disappointed. But at least they thought I was the daughter... Which is better than when my older sister (at 18) was being told she looked 12 and then another person thought she was married to our dad! Ew. Gross.

I hate how some people treat me when they think I'm younger than I am! I went to Nordstroms at Topanga today to buy some new shoes and the saleswoman acted like I was a major burden. When I said I needed help, she tried passing me off to another salesman who denied me and passed me back. Clearly I'm a ping pong ball. I didn't know what shoe I wanted exactly and I just wanted her to bring out a selection in my size that had a slight heel. I used to do this all the time at the Nordstroms in Denver and everyone was always so helpful! Even when I didn't ask for a selection, they'd find some extras for me to try on. I really appreciated that service; especially since I have complicated feet! When I decided on the shoe I wanted, she asked, "can I take any of these other ones to the back?" I said "Yes, all of them." She responded with a gasp and snarky "All of them?!?" And by the way, there were maybe only 6 other pairs there that I tried on. I didn't realize trying on shoes was such a big problem with shoes salesman! If I didn't have such complex feet, I'd just order online after that service! And if Nordstroms wasn't my only option for my size 4.5-5 foot, I'd choose to go elsewhere after today's service. The funny thing is, this woman asked my sister if she needed help. Clearly she thought I was younger and a waste of time. Thanks Nordstroms for your outstanding customer service today! It made my day complete!

So that's my rant for today on ageism and Nordstroms.

On the agenda tonight: Now that we had an amazing dinner at The Local Peasant, with my husband's yummy special, we're going to catch up on the last two episodes of Mad Men so we're all ready for Sunday's finale! What do you think is going to happen in the finale? Is Megan going to die? I actually like her and think she's one of the few fun characters on the show so I'd be sad if that happens. Then again, anything that makes the show more interesting is fine by me. I think her death would create an interesting arc for Don!

Have you ever been treated badly at a store or judged for your age (whether or not it is your actual age)? Do you like Mad Men? Do you like Megan or want her to die?

And here's my weekly picture from dinner! My yummy strawberry salad special!