My fiancé and I met and dated throughout high school. That was 5 years ago. I am now 18 and he is 20. Age shouldn't have much standing if you love someone enough to stick with them for 9 years, or even 5 years. And even if they met when they were 15 years old, they'd be 24 by now. People are getting married at much much younger ages, like me.

Being an "adult" is also all about perspective and experience. I've been working and have been a caretaker for 6 years now. I've been an "adult" long before I was legally so. Just a different point of view.

#16 I don't know where you got the information that people are getting married at younger ages now because that is not the case at all. People are getting married at older ages, usually around age 30. This is because stability is better at this age, you're usually done school, have a stable career, are financially independent, know yourself the best at this age, are better able to read other people, and understand the gravity of the consequences marriage can have if it doesn't work out. The chances of the marriage lasting is better too because of all these things. Despite how long you date, it doesn't necessarily mean you're ready for marriage, especially if your relationship started when you were only kids, who are just trying to discover themselves, much less understand other people. Age maturity is important, just because you're legally an adult, doesn't mean you're ready to embark on all the things you're now allowed to do as a legal adult.

There's nothing wrong with doing that, but it seems clear op does want to get married. Op: you need to talk to him about marriage if you haven't already. All couples need to see if they're on the same page, Preferably early on. Not all people want to get married. If he does and you're tired of waiting, why not propose yourself?

It may seem serious to some, but it's different for everyone. My brother and sister in law have been together for over 24 years, and are as happy together as ever without being married. To some the license is just another piece of paper that causes undo stress to a lot of people.