Age

I was married when I was only 19 years old. I met my future husband 2 weeks after I turned 19 and just knew he was the guy I wanted to be with. There was no reason to wait! Sure, I didn't talk to him about every single detail of my life, and no, I didn't learn about every single detail of his- but I knew what was important to me and he met all of those specifications. I didn't go to BYU-Idaho to get married. In fact, I took a 4 credit Mission Prep class at 7AM M-F because I've always desired to go on a mission. I had no plans on marrying anytime soon. However, after I met this one Dustin Miller my whole life instantly changed. It came as a shock. I never imagined myself getting married so young. Your life never goes the way you always thought it would- it ends up being better.
Since the day we were married on June 24th, 2006 (4 years ago) our relationship has only become stronger. Dustin's better than I ever thought he was and I don't think anyone else could make me happier. Dustin is smart, easy-going, humble, and very realistic. He doesn't care about material things and is a very hard worker.
I'm sure some people may have looked on our short, 4 month engagement and thought I was stupid, or that I was making the biggest mistake of my life. But no, YOU WERE WRONG. I listened to the spirit and made the most important decision of my life. I've never doubted my decision to marry Dustin.

I had Lillie in August of 2007. We both wanted lots of kids, and Lillie was the biggest blessing we've been given. I was only 20. Was I too young to be a mother? Was it a stupid, immature decision to try to get pregnant? No. Because unlike some of my other friends, I never thought living the cool single-life at a University where all I have to look forward to is getting a degree in something I won't want to do in 10 years and figuring out how I'm going to pay for my 7 dollar martini's that weekend. You can't say that a 4 year bachelors degree is better than the incredible responsibility of raising children. I'm not discouraging education by any means, but I often hear the false opinion about how if you have kids before you graduate that you're throwing your life away.
Well guess what?? I guess I threw my life away! Actually, I'm only 23 and though I have absolutely no idea what I want to "do" for a profession for the rest of my life, I've always known I wanted to be a mother. So until I narrow my majors down from culinary arts, English, music, or teaching (or maybe something I haven't even realized I enjoy yet), I'm going to try to be the best at the most influential role I can ever be, a mother. After all, I only get to do this for about 1/5th of my life. I'm going to put everything I can into it, enjoy it, and savor it. I've never heard anyone looking back on their life say, "I wish I would have worked more."

No. Age doesn't matter. If you don't get married until you're 45, then great. If you think that waiting to have kids until you're finished with your schooling and 3 years of experience is the responsible decision, than wait. Do whatever works for you. I did what works for me. I love my husband, I love my two beautiful children. I love being a mother. I'm only 23 and feel so blessed to be where I am right now.