As of about two weeks ago, my left hand has been looking a little more shiny than usual. Yep, that’s right. I’ve joined the wave; I posted pictures; I cried; I was surprised; I got engaged. 

Before about last year, I thought people getting engaged in college were absolutely crazy. Why on Earth would you want to plan a wedding and attempt to graduate at the same time? That just sounds dreadful! 

And speaking from experience, it isn’t exactly the most fun I’ve had. But I will say that I have loved every second of being engaged, and although it’s been stressful, and I know the worst is yet to come, I think being engaged while in school isn’t such a horrible idea. 

When I originally made my spring semester schedule of my senior year, I purposefully made it light. An online class; a course by conference; and two classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I was set. The semester was a breeze. And then I got engaged and suddenly my “free time” has turned into wedding dress shopping, calling venues, making guest lists, determining budgets, picking out colors and paint swatches, finding bridesmaids and groomsmen… Did I mention my wedding is next year? 

So, yes, I’m a little stressed. And on top of that I have school work, Greek life, and other “I-need-to-graduate-on-time” duties that all need to be done as well. But do I regret being engaged? Not for a second. 

In my opinion, as well as my fiancé’s, being engaged and getting married young isn’t as horribly daunting as it sounds. 

The ultimate argument I give to people as to why I got engaged “so young” is because, well, why not? I’ve known I wanted to spend the rest of my life with my fiancé since the start of our relationship, so why wait until it was “socially acceptable” to become permanent? 

My fiancé and I get to do everything after college together. We get to grow up together; buy our first house together; learn how to live after college together. It’s a little scary, but it’s less scary knowing I don’t have to do it alone. I know I’m getting a little deep with you guys, but just bare with me. 

Another plus is the fact that because we are fresh out of college, still smelling of fear and bachelor’s degrees, we aren’t necessarily set in our ways. I’m not starting my own life after college, and he’s not starting his and then both of us suddenly deciding to make these two separate lives that we just created and make them one. We are both moving back home and just kind of taking it one day at a time until the wedding and then starting our lives together. It’s much less of a worry. 

Getting engaged and married young is certainly not for everyone, and the point of this column is not to convince you to go out and find your true love and put a ring on it before you order your cap and gown. 

If that’s your goal in life, stop. Stop right now. Put down the David’s Bridal magazine and pick up your World Religions book. Get school under your belt first. 

I wasn’t looking to be engaged before graduation – it just kind of happened and it just kind of happened to work out best for both me and my fiancé. 

This isn’t the case for every single person. So don’t take my love story as your own. 

Don’t obsess over relationships; they aren’t worth it. Focus on you and focus on what’s really important. But at the same time, don’t completely write off the idea of starting your life before it’s over.