I got married at 21

Thursday, April 18, 2013
One of the first photos of us together! Photo Credit to Tiffany Garcia!
9 years ago today I got married. I was young, bright eyed and idealistic. I had only just turned 21. Many people suggested that we were too young. Joel was also 21, on the cusp of 22. We had only been 'dating' for just over a year, and we'd never lived together. I think for some people this would send out massive alarm bells.

When Joel asked my Dad if he could propose to me (yep, he's old fashioned like that, and blew my parents away). My parents asked lots of 'serious' questions, but then all they really wanted to know was if he loved me. He obviously gave them the right answer because he got the thumbs up, and it was all on from there. They got married young too, and they are still going strong.

It is 9 years later and I have no regrets. Except for maybe Joel's baggy suit pants at our wedding, and the fact that we got married before Pinterest was around. There is so much awesome inspiration and ideas around for eclectic style weddings, the wedding styling today is so gorgeous and creative. Maybe one day we will renew our vows and I can take advantage of Pinterest inspired styling.

 I think about my 21 year old self, and I feel like a very, very different person than I was back then. Joel was different too. Of course in our lives we are always growing and changing, but over the last 9 years we have grown together, not apart. We love each others company, we have fun and laugh, we support each others dreams and are big on communicating. We have hard days, where we fight, get frustrated, hurt each others feelings and just want to be left alone. But, I can't imagine going through life without him. He is my rock, he inspires and challenges me to be a better version of myself. He calls me out when I'm being silly, selfish and childish, and he encourages me when I'm feeling insecure and down on myself. He teaches me how to be bold, to have integrity in all things, to speak up and to not be afraid of confrontation. He is always willing to sacrifice so much for his family and his work ethic astounds me.

I feel so lucky and thankful that somebody that amazing loves me so much.
Excuse me while I get all teary eyed... and start blubbering.

In 9 years we have had so many grand adventures together. We haven't let life get boring by any means. Throughout all the challenges, the changes of location, pregnancy and babies, the dramas and the joys we have always had the constant of our relationship and our commitment to each other.

I know some people are too young at 21 to get married, some people are too immature at 30 to get married. It isn't the age that matters, it is the people. I wouldn't change it for anything.



Karen xx

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30 comments on "I got married at 21"
  1. Congratulations Karen, I agree that when you have the right person, any age is the right age. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses for many more magic years ahead

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  2. What a lovely, heartfelt post.


    And I am glad that I got married before Pinterest! Now there would be too much pressure to be unique and creative and use as many mason jars as possible!

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  3. I was 23 when we got married, hubster was 21 ... now I look back and think "that's so young!" ... but we've been v. happily married for 23 years now so PFFFTTT to all the nay-sayers!

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  4. Happy Anniversary Karen!

    Totally agree that it's the person and not the age that matters. And can I just say, there is almost too much inspiration. Via Pinterest when it comes to planning a wedding, I discovered that while helping my sister last year!

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  5. Young old to me it doesnt really matter. If two people are in love. They are in love no matter at what age. :) happy anniversary to you both. :)

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  6. Lovely post Karen. Happy anniversary to you and Joel and I wish you many more happy, healthy years together.
    I got married when I was 18, but we couldn't make it work. I wouldn't say it was because of our ages, even though we were very young, plenty of couples who marry when they are older end up divorced too! I also don't regret it. I have two gorgeous adult kids, I'm only 42 and totally enjoying life!

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  7. Courtney@FoodMusterApril 19, 2013 at 7:23 PM

    The title of your post caught my attention at FYBF, as I got married when I was 19 - just 4 weeks shy of 20. We had our 14th anniversary this year and we have 4 kidlets. I had my first baby when I was 22, which made me stand out with my friends as most where traveling overseas finding themselves. When I saw my husband to be, i knew all I wanted in life was to be with him. So at 19, my parents flipped out and so did my siblings, but they knew it made sense and it still does. I am so happy to see that others who marry young are still happy, as it doesn't work out for everyone. Congrats to you and your hubby:)

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  8. That was so lovely. We'd love to renew our vows one day too. I totally agree with you about age. It doesn't matter. I WAS an immature 30 year old lol. 31 was the right time for me to marry my best mate :) I'd love to see a wedding pic :)

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  9. Well done you! I was married at 19 so I know all about those words of wisdom!
    Enjoy! xxx

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  10. You look so happy in the photos. I think if you pick the right person you should get married exactly when you want to. I had a baby at 18 and I wouldn't recommend that to everyone but if its right for you its right!

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  11. You know what I say who care what others think, you both look deliriously happy to me! I was engaged quite quickly after meeting my husband and we had a house and our first child after our first year of marriage. Lovely post - Emily @ Have a laugh on me

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  12. Thanks Rhianna! Its funny how people make such a big deal about age!!

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  13. haha, yeah the pressure of finding alternative uses for mason jars may be a bit too much to handle!

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  14. The before the Bearded Joel days, I honestly like the beard more than a shaven face these days. It has one me over!

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  15. Thanks Katie!! xx

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  16. Thats right, a big fat pffffftttt!!! I think I was soooo young, but it obviously was meant to be!

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  17. I think my brain may explode over all the inspiration, just like the inspiration for baby nurseries and homes, it is a lot of pressure!

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  18. Thanks Feli!! Love is the most important thing!

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  19. I think people blame the age, but really when people don't mesh it doesn't matter how old they are! You definitely can't regret something that produces gorgeous kids! x Karen

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  20. Well done of 14 years and 4 kids!! I'm sure it was just as much as an adventure as all the travelling!! When it is right, you know, so why wait!!

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  21. My wedding pictures are hidden in a deep dark hole!! haha. Well those pants of Joels... they were soo bad!!

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  22. Thanks Carmen!! When it is right, it is right!! Unless of course your age is like 14 then I would say wait! ha

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  23. Sometimes I think young people can handle a lot more than they are given credit for! Plus not that long ago it was the norm to have babies at 16... at 20 you were almost a spinster!! xx

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  24. Thanks Emily! I like that saying! People looking from the outside can never truely understand someone else's relationship! x Karen

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  25. The beard suits him, that's for sure. If he would shave now, it'd just look weird!

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  26. Rach aka Stinkb0mbApril 23, 2013 at 9:15 AM

    I got married at 21 as well. We had been dating for 3 weeks when Guv proposed to me and 11 months after meeting we got married. Everyone said it wouldn't last and yet here we are, at nearly 13 years married and 14 years together later and we're still going strong.

    Some aren't ready for marriage at 21 but as you say, some aren't ready for marriage at 31+. I look at it like this, what other people are or aren't ready for, is none of my business, all I know is that I WAS ready and I'm beyond lucky that I found the person I wanted to spend my life with, at 21.


    Congrats on reaching 9 years! May you have many many more to come x

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  27. Thanks Grace! Your right, you know!! Why wait!!

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  28. I'm sure everyone was shocked after the 3 week proposal. Some people it takes a long time to get to know, and others you feel like you've known them your whole life and it has really only been a week!! Sounds like you both knew what a good thing you were on!! x Karen

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  29. You guys are cute as.... If I married the person I was with at 21 I'd be in all sorts of trouble, but I knew then that he wasn't Mr Right. He was Mr Right Now. That's different. A knowing.
    And when you know, you know.

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