"Mom, Dad, I have news. I'm engaged." This certainly isn't a line heard from the average college student-especially in the United States, where the typical age of marriage seems to have risen in the past few decades. But just because married college students aren't the norm doesn't make them a contradiction prima facie, either. In fact, marriage and college don't have to interfere with each other at all.

First, it's important to determine the purpose of college. According to many people, it's all about partying, experimenting and having a good time. For some, getting an education is the first priority. For others, it's all about freedom.

Indeed, the mix of all of those purposes makes the college experience unique. Many people are under the impression-and indeed, one could argue-that marriage can restrict a couple from going to parties or doing things that might otherwise expand their horizons, such as extracurricular activities, but that's not the case.

Many treat college as a chance to experiment; relationships, for many, prove no exception to that maxim. Even those who enjoy that freedom can find a person with whom they want to spend the rest of their lives. And why try to fix what isn't broken? Love can come at any age-be it at 19 or 35 or 70.

Marriage means sharing every aspect of your life with one person, but it doesn't mean giving up your life. Elisha Fredman '10, (who is 20) is getting married over winter break; he said that marriage enhances the college experience "with an added support system."

Marriage, Fredman said, will help him "experience adult life to a new level," thus allowing him greater growth-one of the key parts of college life.

And there's no reason why the more social aspects of the college experience should be inhibited by marriage, either. Going out to restaurants and parties with a spouse is no different than doing so with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Living with only one other person does not distinguish a married college student from one who hasn't tied the knot.

Binny Kagedan '08, who will also marry over break, said that while his club involvement will decrease somewhat next semester, "I don't feel that [marriage is] closing me off."

"No one ever said that you had to be single to experience [what life has to offer]," Kagedan said. Indeed, educational and social opportunities that are available for singles are still there for married people.

Fredman made the excellent point that married college students get to spend more time with-and get to know better-their spouses than do couples that wait to marry as working adults.

Keep in mind that views on the appropriate age for marriage come largely from societal norms. While getting married in college is not necessarily typical, it is not entirely out of the ordinary. That said, however, only the couple's opinion is relevant.

Now, I realize that some people may, after pondering the above, still have some problems with my logic. However, while questions-even seemingly confounding ones-may arise, it is extremely important to remember they pertain only to the couple and therefore should be of no concern to others. Indeed, I?am by no means advocating immediate marriage for all. Rather, I simply wish to inform people that while it is clearly not something to be taken lightly, marriage can coexist side-by-side with college, if a couple chooses to do so. Marriage is an extremely personal decision that can be made only by the parties involved. All others need not worry.