Don’t get married because who’ll take care of your parents otherwise? 

Don’t get married because your uncle cannot stop taunting you that you’re still single.

Or because your aunt keeps getting you one good rishta after another.

Don’t get married because your nani/nana/dadi/dada cannot wait to hold your chunnu-munnu.

Don’t get married because all your friends are getting married.

Or because you can’t also wait to put up honeymoon photos with #CoupleGoals.

Don’t get married because you have nothing to talk about with your married friends.

Or because even your exes are married now.

Don’t get married because your brothers & sisters are getting married and it’s your turn next.

Don’t get married because you’re sick and tired of the dating life.

Don’t get married because you have been dating for some time now and it’s the next ‘logical’ step.

Don’t get married because she is ‘marriage material’ or because he’ll make a ‘really good husband’.

Don’t get married because you don’t want to go to weddings alone. 

Or because you don’t want to be flooded with questions like “Beta, aap kab shaadi kar rahe ho?“

Don’t get married because you’re seeking security.

Or because the world thinks you need a partner to sustain life.

Don’t get married because you need someone to sleep next to.

Or because you want someone to talk to at 3 AM and share your fears.

Don’t get married because you want to feel someone’s body against yours in all its nakedness and vulnerability.

Don’t get married because you want to share inside jokes with someone.

Don’t get married because you think you’re missing out on the good stuff in life.

Don’t get married because now you finally know how to make gol rotis.

Or because you still can’t make Maggi.

Don’t get married because you want a house of your own.

Or because you want to have a child.

Don’t get married because your biological clock is ticking and you feel time is running out.

Don’t get married because you’re scared you’ll end up alone with your four cats.

Don’t get married because your first love turned sour.

Or because now you feel you might as well do what your parents want you to.

Don’t get married because you have to make everyone happy.

Don’t just get married for the sake of it.

Don’t settle for something you have no idea about.

Get married when and only when you really know that you want to get married.

Get married because there’s nothing else you want more than spending the rest of your life with your partner. 

Get married because there’s nowhere you’d rather be than in your partner’s arms. 

Get married when you have someone who already knows all your fears, your insecurities, and your pet peeves. 

Get married when you’re truly in love, when a life without your partner seems unimaginable. 

Get married because their presence is comforting and reassuring and because it makes you happy. 

Get married when you’re ready for it. 

It can be today, tomorrow, in a few months or even never.

This is not a race, you don’t have to win and you have nothing to prove to anyone. 

Not even to yourself.