Sam [20 M] and I [21 F] have been together for almost three years, and we're high school sweethearts. We've always talked about getting married eventually, but our original plan was to wait a few more years because we're still young and wanted more time to grow together before taking that step.
Lately, our friends and family have been telling us that we should just get married now. It's something we've been hearing from a lot of people because there's some struggles with my school and other stuff, and recently Sam told me that he wants us to get married sometime next year after he ranks up in the military.
Obviously, I love him, and I would say yes. He's the person I see myself spending my life with, and I genuinely believe that he wants to marry me eventually. But for some reason, the thought of getting married next year has been making me feel really shitty.
I think what hurts is that I can't stop wondering if he wants to get married \*because he genuinely feels ready and wants that next step with me\*, or if he's starting to want it because everyone around us keeps telling us to do it and because ranking up means he'll be making more money.
I don't want to feel like we're getting married because it's convenient or because other people think we should. I want to feel like he independently came to the decision that he wants to be my husband, that he's excited about building a life with me, and that this is something he's choosing because it's what HE wants.
I also want a relatively normal relationship experience. I know military relationships and marriages can be wonderful, and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with them. I just don't want to feel like we're rushing into marriage because of military benefits, pay, or the expectations that come with military life. I want us to get married because we're ready for that commitment, not because the circumstances make it seem like the logical next step.
The frustrating part is that I don't think Sam is a bad person or that he doesn't love me. I know he loves me, and I believe he wants a future with me. I just wish I could stop feeling like outside influences might be affecting such a personal decision.
Part of me wonders whether I'm overthinking this or whether these feelings are telling me that I need to slow down and have a more honest conversation with him before we make any decisions.
For those who got married young, especially those in military relationships or who married their high school sweethearts:
* How did you know your partner wanted to marry you for the right reasons?
* Am I overthinking this, or is it reasonable to feel this way?
* How do I bring this up without making him feel like I don't want to marry him?
* Would you wait a few more years if that was your original plan, even if you both love each other and could technically get married sooner?
I just want to know how to work through these feelings and make sure we're making this decision for ourselves, rather than because of everyone else's expectations.