[KSUViolet06]

Some thoughts:

When you get to 29-32ish and you see all the "early to marry" folks hitting the divorce point in their relationships, it kind of changes your perspective a little.

Oddly enough, WORKING IN BRIDAL (which I love for the design aspects) has changed my outlook on marriage more than anything else (e.g. I worked on a wedding in 2011. That couple filed for divorce 3 months ago.) It is really crazy and it shows you that marriage is not the holy grail of having a happy life.

Additionally, I find that where you live and who you surround yourself with impacts your satisfaction with being single.

My area is mostly 20something young professionals and half of them are married. Half are not. My social circle is like, 40% married. So every single person I encounter is not. In contrast, my sorority sister lives TX where EVERYONE in our age bracket is married and has been since age 22. She also has a younger married sister who has been married since 23. So her level of satisfaction is different from mine.

In addition, my best friend is bringing home a daughter from Colombia this year. She is 33 and single so being single doesn't mean you cannot be a parent. I have considered it myself in the next few years (I have little interest in bio children for a number of reasons.)

Sidenote: My mom manages a nursing home. She has seen people with 6 children who are all living within 20 miles die completely alone NEVER having a visit from any of them. So kids don't = people to love and visit you in your old age either. In contrast, she had a resident with NO children faithfully receive visits from her nieces and nephews.

Lots of random thoughts, but I hope you find what you want!