Engaged At 22?!

I’m honestly as shocked as you are. I never imagined myself settling down at such a young age but I also don’t see marriage like it’s supposed to be. I’ve found the love of my time, and I say “time” instead of “life” because I’ll never know if he is going to be “the one”. Forever is a long time and marriage is a contract that binds two people together in the eyes of God (if you’re religious) and the law. It’s useful but not necessary. Felix and I decided on getting a civil partnership together instead of a marriage because we didn’t want to involve religious entities. We’re both atheists and a civil partnership seems like the most logical thing to do. It’s binding without all the jargon and we love that.

Now, you might be wondering why? Why am I engaged at this age especially if we’re both not that into the idea of marriage? Unfortunately, we aren’t citizens of the same country. This complicates a lot of things. As an international couple, there is so much paperwork and money involved to remain together. I want to say the easiest way to remain in the same place at the same time is to be married but even that isn’t as easy as it sounds. You don’t just get the right to remain if you marry a local. You still have to go through the lengthy process of applying for a Partnership Visa after the wedding and that comes with a long list of requirements you need to fulfil in order to qualify. This isn’t an easy way out but it is an option, perhaps a backup plan. If I am unable to find a way to remain in the UK, being engaged means a step closer to marriage and at least that’s a way to ensure we can be together.

It may not be the most conventional way to settle down because perhaps we are too young to know better, but would I rather jump into the unknown with him than settle on a future without each other? Yes, I would the former. This means we’re trying to make it work, settling on a future without each other because immigration laws make it difficult for two people in love of different nationalities sounds like giving up to me. I guess we’ll see what the future holds for us, I’m excited to be on this journey nevertheless.

- Zoey