In July of 2016, my best friend Bronwyn and I decided to try a unique take on the college student life. At 20 years old, I got married, and it was the best decision I ever made.
Bronwyn is a talented artist, a great singer, an even better cook, my trusted advisor, and she has a sense of humor that fits mine like a glove. Our personalities have been shaped so much by each other we can no longer really tell who’s rubbed off on who. She doesn’t think my engineering is very exciting, but she listens anyway, and I’m learning to be interested in sewing and botany. We have a life that we worked hard at, but it was well worth all the effort.
My wife and I were high school sweethearts. Our first date was to freshman year homecoming. We were friends for years and eventually began to date. But, as with many relationships in high school, soon came the sobering realization that I, being a year older, would leave for university.
After months of planning, in the summer between my sophomore and junior year, we were happily married. We had an apartment picked out and soon after moved in. Barely being adults, we began to build a home together. I am now vividly recalling a montage of shopping and sitting on couches in six different stores, and in my mortal enemy, Bed Bath and Beyond. I don’t like Bed Bath and Beyond.
Being in school with Bronwyn is different now (obvious understatement). Choosing where to study is a debate between being with her and being free of distractions. I don’t get to bro out with my best guy friends as roommates. I don’t stay on campus too late, but that’s because I know she is waiting for me.
I know that my experience of college is so vastly different from everyone else’s, and it might not be for everyone. For me nothing in the world is worth trading for quoting all of Nacho Libre, running to Dairy Queen late at night and jamming the Prince of Egypt soundtrack, early morning Saturdays with coffee and eating donuts in our pajamas, learning and struggling and growing – all with my best friend. And I’ve still got my whole life ahead of me.
While most students at Texas A&M University are young, single, and going to school full time, there are over 7,000 who are non-traditional, like Michael, and add to the rich diversity on our campus. If you are over 25, married, have dependents, are a veteran, work full time, or are enrolled as a part-time student, check out Student Affairs or student groups to meet others like you.
Services available to non-traditional students
