My brother and his girlfriend of 2 years were recently in Oklahoma visiting my parents. While Ali appreciated the family-centric culture of our hometown, she commented on the emphasis on getting married young. People remarked on her "patience" at not receiving a ring by this point in the relationship. At our high school's homecoming, the queen candidates all expressed future goals along the lines of finding the man of their dreams and getting married. And many of my brother's friends are married in their early 20's or hoping to be soon.
The positive side of this is that family is given such high value in that community, but as someone who's 29 and single, I have also seen the great benefits of having time to grow and develop on your own. I am not writing this to knock people who marry young. I know plenty of couples who married right out of high school, during college, or soon after, that have had long-lasting, successful marriages. But I do want to encourage people who have chosen a different route or find themselves going a different direction.
I've had a myriad of experiences in the last several years that I wouldn't have had if I'd been married. And I'm not sitting at home, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for someone to come and "complete" me. It's very empowering to find your first job or place to live, to set up a retirement account, to travel on your own, and to do these and many other things without the safety net of a spouse. So while you may have days of something-less-than-enthusiasm over your single state, I'm going to suggest you do something radical...embrace it.
So say "table for one" with confidence.
Go to that movie you've been dying to see...by yourself.
Buy something you've been eyeing and don't worry about having to tell anyone about it! :)
Flirt!
Spend a day/week/month experiencing a new neighborhood/city/country on your own.
The possibilities are limitless...just make the most of this time of life!
