I was almost 27 when we got married. Stuart was 32. That was perfect for us! We'd both done all the silly, stupid, really fun stuff that single people can do and married people end up in divorce court over! He had indulged his wanderlust and travelled the world. I had two degrees, a career and the solid knowledge that I can support myself.

My sister got married days before her 19th birthday. They are still together, 11 years later, but it's been ugly. It's been a constant struggle for them. They've separate numerous times. Now they have three kids to consider too. They aren't the same people they were as teenagers. My sister lacks the ability to support herself and her kids. She stays, at least in part, because she needs to.

I've tell Stuart that I don't need him--I can support me, the dogs, the cats, this house, ect on my paycheque. I can run a chainsaw, get wood, make sure the water guy shows up, fix the fences, stop a leaking tap, change the light fixtures, kills spiders ect, ect, ect by myself if I have to. I don't need him here, I want him here. It annoys him to no end sometimes, so I sometimes let him take care of "man" things. In the long run though, I think it's a healthier relationship because I am not dependant on him.