By Jaci Schneider, Opinion Editor

Much Ado About Something

Nineteen months till graduation. I only have one month to find the right guy, one year to date and six months to be engaged before my wedding day.

I thought I found the “right guy” last week. I saw an ad in the classifieds for beach weddings in South Padre and asked my friend if he wanted to go get married. So we skipped the whole dating thing and started planning the wedding right away. I was excited; I’m about to turn 21, and I was afraid my time was running out.

But alas, my engagement only lasted 2 hours. I spilled water on the “right guy” so he said he hated me and broke off the whole shebang.

I was heartbroken for a good five minutes, certain I was doomed to spinsterhood for the rest of my life.

But I brushed myself off and changed my attitude, determined not to let one grumpy guy ruin my chances at happiness. After all, I still have two weeks until my birthday-plenty of time to find that special someone.

As a child, I used to think that I would like to get married at age 23. I don’t know what it is about that age-it just seemed right. But after a semester at ACU, I realized that 23 was much too old. By the time I turn 23, I’ll be out of college. What on earth will I do if I have to graduate without a husband? I don’t think I can make it on my own. Will I have to rent my own apartment, take care of my own car and kill spiders myself?

But I’ve been thinking recently, it might not be so bad to live on my own. I can do whatever I want, live wherever I want and make decisions without worrying about another person-I can be selfish.

After all, in 2003 the average American woman got married at age 25, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Maybe I don’t have to rush out and find the “right guy” this month. Heck, I don’t even have to find the “right guy” at ACU. Guys do exist outside of Abilene, even Christian ones.

You know, I think that might be a good plan. Graduate, find a job, live somewhere cool for a while and then maybe worry about getting married. It might be kind of fun. At least then I don’t have to worry about settling for an OK guy at ACU, when the “right guy” might be out there somewhere, waiting until I turn 30 to find me and marry me.

I’m not opposed to meeting someone here at ACU and getting married after graduation, I just don’t know how realistic that is.

And I don’t want my heart to be broken every time a two-hour engagement comes crashing to an end.