<p>You do realize that marriages under the age of 25 (or 21 in your case…?) have a higher rate of failure than most age groups…right? </p>
<p>My mom had the same mentality as you. She got engaged at 20, married at 21, thought it would last forever…but it didn’t, just like the vast majority of marriages, and they made it past the 25th year anniversary.</p>
<p>I’m not saying your relationship is doomed to failure because that isn’t necessarily true, but there IS some truth to what your family members are warning you. My family tried to warn my mom but NOPE. She didn’t listen…and she regrets it. And she is an extremely intelligent, bright, and capable woman.</p>
<p>And what of the OP? She isn’t that much older. What? A year or two if even? Yet it is perfectly okay for her to get engaged after a short while? </p>
<p>How about this: everyone waits until they’ve established and get themselves together before offering themselves to another? What is up with all the teen/young adult marriages?</p>
<p>“One plus for your sister, considering her past, is that counseling is readily available on-base. There are hot-lines she can call for help anytime and they are well advertised. She’ll have medical and dental insurance.”</p>