20.
“I know now there is often advice to not marry young or to wait until you have a career or plan. And while I do agree in some situations, this is my biggest regret. I met my now husband in middle school. I loved him instantly, and we began a relationship a little ways through my freshman year and his sophomore year. We dated through college and got married when I was 26 and he was 27. I realize that’s fairly young, anyway, but it wasn’t young enough. Unfortunately, my husband died in a car crash when I was 39. I wish I could’ve had so much more time with him. I wish we could’ve started our family sooner, so he could’ve seen our three sons through college. I can’t go back, but I think of him every day.”
“I’ve never once considered remarrying, and so I encourage all of you younger people if you know they are the one — if it’s not just the big things, but the little times they bring you coffee in bed; if it’s not purely a romantic relationship, but they are also your best friend; and if you truly can envision them being a good spouse and parent — why wait? We only have about 75 years on this earth, and don’t you want to spend every second of it with your person? I certainly wish I could’ve. I personally believe I’ll be with him again in heaven (although I understand some of you might disagree, and that’s totally okay :)), but I’ve missed him every day. However, I want to clarify that you should not hastily marry without being *certain* they are the one for you. And maybe marriage isn’t even for you, and that’s okay, too. I just encourage you all to not waste time apart from loved ones, regardless of your relationship.“
—Anonymous, 87, Wisconsin
