My boyfriend & I started dating when we were 15 & 16. I went to college 250 miles away, but we still stayed together through all that time. We've both had close friends of the opposite sex, but neither of us has ever felt the need to date other people. We already feel like we've found everything we could ever want -- in each other.

I'm 20 and just graduated from college (early, to save money). Now, we're back in the same city but both still living with our parents. He wants to buy a house for the two of us in the fall, and he has been saving up for this purpose for years. I'm not against living together before marriage, but we've also begun talking about getting engaged. Technically, I won't be 21 till summer, but I feel so much older than that... I'm a college grad, starting professional school in the fall, etc. And we've been together for almost six years now! I think that a proposal wouldn't be ridiculous at this point -- but do other people agree? Thanks!

Good question.

First I would advise you not moving in before marriage. I am a true believer that you should follow the proper steps to get to marriage and I think moving in together produces more harm than good.

Second - yes you are getting to an age where marriage should be considered. I am a firm believer that both parties should be firmly established in their career to ensure a good financial position and both parties should be mature and ready for things like parenthood, etc. However there is not need to rush anything as you will find that rushing into major committments like marriage must be done when the time is right. Dr Laura who in my opinion is pretty good about offering relationship advice always tells people to wait until you reach your mid 20's before entering marriage. I do think she is right on this one as I look back and agree that there are a lot of struggles in the first few years of a marriage that require solid maturity on both sides to work through them. I was married at the age of 26 (wife was 25) and we did fine and as expected had our challanges early on but were to work through everything without much problem.

So conclusion here is that it is ok to get married at your age BUT ONLY in the case where both parties are well established with their career and have the maturity it takes to enter into the marriage committment. If that is not the case yet - just hold off until you get there - you will find that time flies and before you know it a few years will pass and both of you will be ready to exchange rings.