Becca Bear
I wish people would not gauge age with experience so literally. I am 19, I have been threw so much more in my life than so many people have that I know. Most of which are in their thirties. Just because you are "young" does not mean you do not know who you are, what you want or how hard life can be. A couple years ago my MIL gave me a speech about how hard life is. She was almost homeless a few times, she depended on family for help when she had Keith, ect ect ect. Stuff that sucks, but honestly isn't so bad. I still haven't had the guts to tell her that I have gone threw hell compared to her 46 years of living. I have been homeless, I have be shot down by family, I have fought my entire life to show that I am not a dumb little kid. I know that people change and our tastes change, but that doesn't mean they will change for the worst, or dive us apart. In my experience, people never really change who they are at the core. I will never get to go to college, but I do have a good and obtainable career goal. That doesn't mean I shouldn't get married. We where engaged when I was 16 and things didn't work out at the time. We are engaged again and this time we are both confident in it and who we are.

FutureMrsH522
Wow I really cant believe she told you to wait as an answer to this question. 18 is not too young to get married. I'm 20 and getting married in May, we've been engaged since we were 18 and dated since we were 16. Don't let anyone else tell you when it's right for you to get married. My fiance's parents got married when she was 18. They've been married for like 25 years now. On the other hand, my dad was 30ish when my folks got married and they're divorced. Making a marriage work is alot less about being "compatible" and alot more about being determined and willing to realize that its gonna take work. Its about really being committed. Don't let people tell you what to do! Especially people who have never met you before!! So, in answer to the question you REALLY asked, just tell them. That's really all you can do. My dad wants us to wait another year (let my fiance graduate) before we get married, but we have prayed and sought the Lord about it. When we went to tell my dad I expected him to be mad. All he did was tell us he thought it wasn't the best decision, but that he wasn't mad and that he was happy for us. They are probably expecting this, so you probably won't catch them off guard. The worst thing you can do is avoid talking to them. Prove that you're mature enough to make this decision by being open and honest. That's about all you can do. Good Luck!

tommyandy
Why don't they like him? Is he a drop out? A stoner? Jobless? Unfaithful? Does he put you down or hit you? Is he several years older than you? If you don't know, ask them to tell you in a letter. This way you get the information without the fight. Yes, it will hurt the first time you read it, but it will give you time to think about how they feel.

texaslolamy
For me, age is just a number. Maturity is what's important. Maturity entails communication, compromise, and fiscal responsibility and communication (among other things). If you truly think you can make it work, go for it. People tell me to wait as well. My FH is 21 and I am 19. We have lived together on our own, have the same financial and life goals, and are just perfect for each other. There is no sense in waiting and subjecting ourselves to years apart (FH is in the military) just for the point of waiting. We know we're perfect for each other and will make it work no matter what.

riverjib
My sister and her husband were best friends from childhood, and started dating in high school. Still, they waited until a few years after college to get married. They went to different colleges and then she transferred to his school, and when she did, they consciously limited their time together while she made friends of her own. As it turned out, the friends she made knew his friends, which surprised them both considering they were in a huge university. This further affirmed their connection to one another, and they officially got engaged right after graduation (almost five years after they started dating). They're happily married now with two beautiful children, and some of their mutual friends are even married as well. This is the fairy tale ending, and it happened because they were clearly suited for one another. But they never would have known that if they hadn't given each other room to grow and figure out what they each REALLY wanted from life. Whether or not you've dated other people, It's absolutely 100% YOUR life and YOUR decision to make, but once you're married, you are part of his family and he is part of yours. If you want to do this at 18, go ahead. But you'll both be happier if you wait and prove to yourselves, each other, and (by extension) your loved ones that you really are meant to be. We all loved her husband when he was her gawky friend at 14, and when he started dating her at 17. But I doubt that we would have welcomed him as her husband at 18 or 19, despite the fact that we adored (and trusted) him...and my family is very non-traditional and open-minded. Their wedding day was one of the best days of MY life, because this boy that my sister befriended grew with her, and helped her become the amazing woman she is, and she helped him become the man I am proud to call my brother (not just in-law), and one of my closest friends. I know my mother and brother and his parents and sisters all felt the same way that day. Their wedding was remarkable, and their marriage has truly united two families. Don't deprive yourself of that kind of experience by rushing into marriage...allow your love to grow to include (rather than alienate) your families. You'll feel much more secure about your lifetime commitment if you do.