"You do realise you'll have to be with the same man for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!!"

When I got engaged the news received some mixed reactions. Whilst everybody was happy for me many people were surprised, and some of my friends were visibly shocked. I must admit that after shouting a most definite yes and nearly hugging the poor guy to death my first question was ‘Oh My Goodness! What will my parents say?’ But this worry disappeared when he said ‘Well, they seemed pleased when I asked them.’ My lovely fiancé had asked their permission first!

My parents were more than happy to give their consent but obviously did the concerned parent thing and checked that I had said yes for all the right reasons (love, commitment) and not all the wrong ones (fear of being an old lady with her cats, just wanting to wear a nice dress and have a big party!). Of course I reassured them right away and that was the end of that. With friends however it wasn’t so simple. I cannot count the amount of times I have heard ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe your actually going to get married,’ ‘how old are you?’ and ‘but you’re so young’!

But I can see where they are coming from. At my age most girls are thinking more about cocktail dresses than wedding dresses, and are out partying, not in planning their big day; but I know this is the right decision for me. When friends are discussing their latest dating scandal I don’t worry that I’m missing out or feel jealous, I’m actually quite relieved that I won’t have to sit through anymore awkward bad dates or check my mobile phone every few minutes to see if the boy of the moment has text me back.

Don’t get me wrong, I had plenty of fun when I was doing that, and I certainly never planned on settling down so soon. Since I first moved away from home at 18 to go to university in Liverpool, I have definitely done more than my fare share of drinking and partying, and this only increased when I moved to London. Also, as a fairly early starter I have had enough unsuitable boyfriends to make me sure that this one is ‘the one’.

I don’t think you can put an age on love (after all Romeo and Juliet were mere teens!), and if it feels right, I am a firm believer in trusting your instincts and just going for it. After all, life’s an adventure and if you hold back on things for fear of missing out on something ‘better’, you’ll only end up looking back with regret.

So,’ Oh My God, I can hardly believe I am actually getting married’, but I am so happy that I am, and by the way...I’m only 22, but that’s fine by me! ;) xxx