You’re engaged – or engaged to be engaged, promised to, whichever – and that’s great. That’s fantastic, amazing news. For you. That’s where you are in your life. And I honestly am happy for you – you’re my best friend.

But... oh, but, that’s not me.

I understand that you don’t want me to get hurt, and you don’t want me to “waste my prime years” but there are a lot of differences between me and you. For one, you know you want the shiny ring and vows, I don’t. At this point, I see my future differently, and as I’ve said, I see it a long way down the line yet. And please remember that while you’ve had a string of boyfriends and short relationships that brought you to who you’re with now, I haven’t. I didn’t date boys, or live with anyone. I went and finished my education, I didn’t stop and take the time for companionship. So, as spending time and energy with A might seem like a waste to you, it doesn’t to me. It’s learning. It’s experiencing. And if I’m lucky, it’s enjoying. It could last a while, or it could already be over. Who knows? But it’s something that I want and what I need right now.

But, what I do know is that you’ll support me with any choices or mistakes I make here. Just respect that I’m not the same as you. And I’m not in that same place.