Like the character Madea said, I rather sit in a corner with a puppy and a goldfish instead of wondering why the hell you are in my house. Even though it’s funny, there are countless people who will sacrifice their peace and happiness on earth for marriage with an individual who never deserved to be in their presence; and most importantly, an individual they have no spiritual connection to.

To be blatantly honest— that feeling has to SUCK something surreal!

As I’ve gotten older, my views of marriage have made a complete 180. I’ve personally gone through some things, seen some things and heard some things that have made me realize that WAITING for the one that God has hand-picked for me is not bad at all…

We live in such a “RUSHED” society where no one wants to wait, especially my generation. Some of us believe that if we haven’t jumped the broom in our mid 20’s, then oh boy… call the Fire Brigade!!!!!…

Most of the women who I’m close to have gotten married either around my age or younger (F.Y.I. I’m 23)…. and that’s good for them. That was THEIR TIME, not mines… BUT at the time I didn’t understand that, and my goal was to get married sooner than later… but I realized that goal was flawed.

This is why?

Goal: I want to get married by ’20-something’.

Problem: My goal contained none of the elements of what it leads to building a strong foundation of a successful marriage. It doesn’t even have the adjective ‘successful’ within the goal! What’s crazy is, that some women and even men carry this ‘no-substance’ goal within their hearts.

What about Friendship and actual DATING? (Because seriously, there are too many of us who are giving the benefits of marriage to someone we barely know)

What about someone who prays and sees it as a necessity to get through the good and bad times?

What about RESPECT?

What about SUPPORT for each other?

(This should have been first) But what about seeking God FIRST before making the ultimate decision to tie the knot?

I’M JUST SAYING PEOPLE!

I’m not perfect. Sometimes I’ve compromised these very things to hear the sound of wedding bells BUT I’ve learned my lesson.

Nothing rushed is going to come out right. It doesn’t work for food, and it’s not going to work for individuals who do not have the patience to make a decision in their life that is most of the time, undo-able! Just like you get sick from unprepared food, you’ll get sick emotionally, mentally and spiritually from an unprepared marriage.

Don’t let Facebook trick you or Twitter deceive you. Everybody is not getting married and everyone isn’t ‘happily married’ either.

DO YOU. Get yourself together, and work on you— that’s what I’m doing…..

So for now…

There will be NO WEDDING BELLS… at least for now.