Dear coworker who said it was crazy to be married, let alone having children, before turning thirty,

I am twenty three.

My husband is twenty five.

We have been married approximately four and a half years (for those keeping track at home, that means we were married at 18 and 20).

We’re having a baby in July.

And although I appreciate your opinion, I’d like to take a moment to share my story:

Being a mother has been my “dream job” since as far back as I can remember. I’m actually considering it a promotion. Coincidentally, one of the factors in falling in love with my husband was how much I adored how wonderful he was (is…) with children. I just knew he’d be an awesome daddy someday.

We got married young for a lot of reasons, and I won’t bore you with the list. But we put a lot of prayer, counsel, and consideration into that decision. And I wouldn’t change it for the world.

It hasn’t always been easy. In fact, it’s been more difficult then I could have ever imagined. We have never had much, and I’m willing to bet we won’t have a vacation home in the Bahamas any time soon. I’m also not stupid enough to think that having this baby is going to make things any easier. Rather, I’m guessing it’s only going to, in its own way, complicate things.

But.

Here we are.

Four and a half years later, and a whole lot stronger then when we started. Sure, we’ve been humbled a time or two (or thousand…), but by the Grace of God we’re still here. And make no mistake, it’s only by the Grace of God and His strength that we started out at all, let alone that we’ve made it this far. But that’s another letter for another time.

So, dear coworker, goes my story. The SparkNotes anyway. I’m sure at this point, if you’re even still reading, you’re wondering what the point of my story is. And that, oh coworker, is simple. I hold no judgment about your life decisions. You are allowed to choose the path you walk down.

You’re also entitled to your own opinion.

But your opinion? It’s just that.

An opinion.