Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace

I'm at this awkward stage in my life where all of my friends are getting married or having babies, and it's not considered a weird thing anymore. For me, it still is. I love watching cartoons, goofing off, and cursing profusely. Some of my friends have even made commitments to themselves to be married by 25. What?? Who needs a ring at 25? Your eggs are still good for another 13 years!

I think it also freaks out my dad that I'm also at this stage in my life, and I'm still his little kid. We had a whole conversation about his life, marriage, kids, etc, and he gave me some super good advice:

"Don't have any kids. Ever. In fact, don't even get married. Actually, don't have babies unless if you get married. That's the only reason why anyone should be married: to have kids. If there are no kids, then don't do it. Cuz marriage is hard, no one ever tells how you hard it really is. And unless if you have kids, there's really no reason to go through all of that."

Strong words, but I agree. I just don't think it's really that important to get married unless if you're having kids. Marriage is a good way to strengthen a relationship and show you'll support your future bundle of joy. But just getting married out of love is difficult. I'm still only in the dating realm and that's hard enough. I mentioned these words to other couples that are married with kids and they agreed, "Yup, that sounds about right."

Everyone has their own choices on what they want to do with their lives and marriage and babies, but I don't plan on changing my last name anytime soon... Unless if I get knocked up. In my mind, I got another 10-ish years before that becomes a real thought. Here's to another 10-ish years of having my last name!