The Life of a Gal in Her Mid-20s

I have officially reached that point of my life where I get excited to browse vacuum cleaners online, I have to pay my own medical bills and I actually own a wine rack. Although this fairly new phase of adulthood is exciting, it also puts things in perspective. Where has all the time gone?! It seems like only yesterday when I was requesting allowance from my parents, getting rides to friends’ houses and didn't even know the meaning of the words “car insurance.” With this chapter of my life also brings marriage, buying homes and babies. Several of my close friends are getting married and having babies, and sometimes it makes me wonder, “Am I behind the trend?” I am not even in a relationship, let alone thinking about marriage, homes and babies! I even get pressure from my grandmother, who recently wrote me the following email: 

My grandmother and I

“You make us so proud. You are finished school, have a nice apartment, good friends there and a job that will provide for your comforts. Now you can go and find a love. Is that too much to ask? Just be sure he is someone you want to be a father to your children.”

Now, I know my grandparents are totally supportive of me and only want me to be happy, but I can’t help but feel a little bit of pressure to get married and start popping out babies. I am confident that the right guy will come along and things will fall in place just like they’re meant to, and on my own time. I feel like so many of our youth face pressures to be in relationships and even to start families when they are not even finished figuring out who they are. I think it is important to first establish ourselves independently before finding your other half. 

Although I am overjoyed for my friends who are getting married and starting their families, I am also in a very exciting time of my life, my mid-20s, where I am still getting to know myself and learning what type of person will compliment me best in a lasting, healthy relationship. I want to find someone who is able to walk on his own, but chooses to walk beside me, not because he has to, but because he doesn't want to walk beside anyone else.

by Sara Lamberson, Corporate Communications Specialist, SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy