18, Clueless And Baby Hungry

Okay, so part of me thinks this is funny. Generally speaking, the mocking of anything BYU brightens my day right up. And this targets BYU co-eds. Even better. There are some great lines - "We'd marry a tree as long as it served a mission" being my personal favorite.

The other part of me, however, started watching and immediately felt the familiar burning and itching sensation I get when I come in contact with anything Provo related.

This video is funny because it is true. And it is sad for that very same reason.

When I got married, at the ripe old age of 25 (nearly an Old Maid by LDS standards) I audited a dance class at The "Y." The class was, of course, filled with girls ages 18 - 21 years old. One day I was sitting around with a couple of the girl's in my class and somehow my age came up. Both of their heads shot up and they looked at me with wide eyes.

Girl #1: "Wow, I hope I look as good as you do when I'm your age."

Girl #2: "Oh my gosh, you just gave me so much hope. I am graduating in a few months and have been so upset that I'm not married yet. If you just got married and you're 25, that means that I still have a chance."

She was 21 years old. Barf.

Even then, being the Super Mormon that I was, I was stunned. I didn't even know what to say to them. But, I sure as hell do now. Those girls are responsible for the speech I gave my cousins when they were in high school and have given BOTH of my kids ad nauseum. It goes something like this:

Don't you DARE get married until you are at least (1) 25 years old (though I would prefer 35), have (2) Gotten an education (3) Have a viable way of supporting yourself, and have (4) Have traveled the world. You cannot possibly give yourself to someone until you know who that someone is you are giving. And the same goes for the person you are considering marrying. DO NOT permanently bind yourself to another person until you BOTH have a solid idea of who you are and what you really want out of life.

Argh. When we're young we just don't get it. We don't listen. We think we know it all. And then one day, BAM! We get it. And we wish we would have listened.

The following poem, written by my mother, is one of my absolute favorites. I wish that having this memorized and recited 5 times a day was a pre-requisite for graduation from The "Y." It would make for much happier marriages and families.

On Nest Building

Mud is not bad for nest building.
Mud and sticks
And a fallen feather or two will do
And require no reaching.
I could rest there, with my tiny ones,
Sound for a season, at least.

But –
If I may fly awhile –
If I may cut through a sunset going out
And rainbow coming back,
Color upon color sealed in my eyes –
If I may have the unboundaried skies
For my study,
Clouds, cities, rivers for my rooms –
If I may search the centuries
For melody and meaning –
If I may try for the sun –

I shall come back
Bearing such beauties
Gleaned from God’s and man’s very best
I shall come filled.

And then –
Oh, the nest I can build!