[RedStateGreen]

My daughter's 17th birthday was today. Her boyfriend took her out to breakfast, and they came back for dinner. For some reason, they wanted me to watch E3 with them, so I did.

After about a half hour of this, they told my boys that they had a surprise for them.

They're getting married.

Apparently he had asked my husband a few days ago.

I'm speechless. Happy, excited for them ... remembering a fat baby with blonde fuzz on top, not so long ago.

*cries*

[nickynicky]

Big hug, it will be ok if they wait to get married till they are 25.

[Pretorian]

Congratulations RSG! Does he work?

[Lore]

Only 17?... makes me want to cry too!

[DomusAlbion]

17 seems young by today's standards but it's not so young. My mom married at 16 and had her first child before her 17th birthday.

It sounds as if both young people had good parenting, so I'm sure it will work out.

Love conquers all.

[CarlinsDarlin]

Congrats, Red (and of course to your daughter as well)

Yes, the odds are not great for couples getting married so young, but I also have known many couples who got married young and had long and happy marriages.

You'll be busy planning a wedding for the next little while Don't stress too much. Enjoy it
Kathy

[emersonbiggins]

Congratulations!

[RedStateGreen]

They don't have a date yet ... sometime after she graduates/turns 18, so not for a year at least. He just graduated from HS this year, turned 18 back in January.

We're really happy with her being with him, they seem good for each other. They both have jobs, he's finishing up a machinist program at the local tech college. She's an artist, and I'm not sure what she wants to do after graduation ... I've encouraged her to sell her work (she's very good).

His parents did a great job with him; he's got a good work ethic and is very responsible. They own the house next door and have given it to him and his older brother, but his brother and girlfriend have been talking about getting a condo, so I think that's where they (my daughter and her ... fiance! ) will end up after they get married.

The rest of my family is going to have a cow (they are materialistic as all get out and very stuck on a college degree/status/high income job/etc.), but I think these two are mature enough to decide what they want to do with themselves.

I thought this might happen, just didn't think it would come so soon!

[hironegro]

Tell your daughter to break it off.

[HEADER_RACK]

There's some good advice being given here. Hope you can pick out which ONE it is.

[Specop_007]

I'm going to be honest, and I mean no disrespect.

I have yet to see a couple my generation or younger who married before the age of 21 that are still together. I'm 30. I'm sorry, but we dont live 50 years ago and we dont have the family values and morales of 50 years ago. I would *highly* recommend you put a stop to this.

Remember, marriage is NOT a sign of love. A big rock on a finger is NOT a sign of love. Getting married because she said "I'm pregnant" is the worst reason to get married (Not saying thats the reason). You dont need to be married to be in love, nor do you need to be married to live together or spend time with each other or have fun together. Marriage is an idea most women love but rarely think about the realities of life after "I do".

So I'll say congratulations because its the right thing to say, but I'd bet dollars to donuts at some point in the not so distant future you'll be seeking advice from an attorney who specializes in divorces.

Married twice to the girl I dated in high school, Spec.

[RedStateGreen]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', 'I')'m going to be honest, and I mean no disrespect.

I have yet to see a couple my generation or younger who married before the age of 21 that are still together. I'm 30. I'm sorry, but we dont live 50 years ago and we dont have the family values and morales of 50 years ago. I would *highly* recommend you put a stop to this.

Remember, marriage is NOT a sign of love. A big rock on a finger is NOT a sign of love. Getting married because she said "I'm pregnant" is the worst reason to get married (Not saying thats the reason). You dont need to be married to be in love, nor do you need to be married to live together or spend time with each other or have fun together. Marriage is an idea most women love but rarely think about the realities of life after "I do".

So I'll say congratulations because its the right thing to say, but I'd bet dollars to donuts at some point in the not so distant future you'll be seeking advice from an attorney who specializes in divorces.

Married twice to the girl I dated in high school, Spec.

[Hagakure_Leofman]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', 'I')'m 30. I'm sorry, but we dont live 50 years ago and we dont have the family values and morales of 50 years ago. I would *highly* recommend you put a stop to this.

[SpringCreekFarm]

Congrats. It is a bit young but sometimes that doesn't matter.

I was the father of a 2 year old child when I was 17. She's now 26 and has a son. I didn't actually get married until I was 39, not to her mother though. LOL.

It made my life a living hell but thats kids, not marriage. The best of luck to all of you.

[BigTex]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RedStateGreen', ':')-D

The rest of my family is going to have a cow (they are materialistic as all get out and very stuck on a college degree/status/high income job/etc.), but I think these two are mature enough to decide what they want to do with themselves.

I thought this might happen, just didn't think it would come so soon!

[midnight-gamer]

In my blue collar, work until you drop neighborhood. It's common for people to shack up young. Pooling resources together is a way to pay bills when a single income would not suffice.
It sounds like your daughter is not in that boat though. I would advise her to refrain from marriage and do the college/ job thing first.

[shakespear1]

Wish them all the best but hope they keep their family size at 2, get a good education and then think about enlargement

The times are much different than in the past demanding flexibility in what you can do.

All The Best

[midnight-gamer]

With some further thought, I am going to add that the gentleman's well being be considered with your daughters.
Women are very fickle creatures, maybe a few years down the road, your daughter might find a new piece of eye candy, with a better job than the current husband. It's not a stretch to imagine and it would leave this young man up the creek if there is child support involved.
I worked with a man who I viewed as a father figure. Very kind and never once complained about his lot in life. In the space of a few years his whole world fell apart. The wife took off for some rich guy, he was left with child support, then his dad passed away. He looked haggard, but remained cheerful and friendly. But I knew in my gut the poor guy was dying inside. I tried to help, but He died last spring.
Edited to add: I wish your child the best. I don't want to sound all doom and gloom.

[bodigami]

17 is too young. Relationships are temporal. We're in overshoot. This is not a smart decision. If your daughter loves her offspring-to-be, don't let them live a die-off.

I don't support nor congratulate this actions, you have no cookie from me.

[gwen2]

Don't listen to anyone above who are talking negative! I know many people who got married young and stayed married. It all depends on the person. Some people mature faster than others. Alot of it has to do with how you are raised. I got married when I was 20 and I am still married 16 years later. (happily married)

So, Congratulations to you and your daughter!!!!

Gwen