2008 Woodie Awards
A test of love
Students balance books and vows
By: Kristen Vasas
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Campus
The sound of ocean waves are heard in the distance as a reggae sounding tune is played on an accompanying piano.
Gulls cry overhead as a soft breeze lifts Kelsey Ahern's white veil while she walks down an aisle lined with palm trees and leafy fronds. She stops at the steps of a white veranda and reaches for the hand of her best friend and soul mate Luke Ahern.
As the 21-year-olds recite their vows and kiss for the first time as husband and wife, the worries and pressures that are associated with college students are far from their minds.
But unlike other newlyweds, the Aherns still must worry about textbook prices, tuition and graduation after the honeymoon is over. Though they are married, they still are enrolled as students at Bowling Green State University.
"When we first got engaged, a lot of people said we were too young to get married, especially because we were still in college," Kelsey said. "But I want people to know that it's OK to get married when you're in college if you truly love your significant other."
Although the Aherns were told to expect a number of extra stressors because of their decision to get married while in college, Kelsey said the couple has had a relatively easy time balancing their romantic and educational lives.
"We make life work even though we don't have a lot of money or luxury," Kelsey said. "We have fun together, and that makes life easier."
And though the Aherns may feel they are mature enough to be married while enrolled in college, many other couples choose to wait according to the 2007 results of a marriage survey conducted by the Census Bureau.
According to the survey, the median age of first marriage for men is 27.5, while women are normally 25.9 when they choose to take the plunge.
For sophomore Brittany Jarvie, waiting to get married doesn't seem unreasonable for students who are still taking classes and involved in campus activities.
"I'm engaged right now, but I don't plan on getting married until I graduate from college," Jarvie said.
Gulls cry overhead as a soft breeze lifts Kelsey Ahern's white veil while she walks down an aisle lined with palm trees and leafy fronds. She stops at the steps of a white veranda and reaches for the hand of her best friend and soul mate Luke Ahern.
As the 21-year-olds recite their vows and kiss for the first time as husband and wife, the worries and pressures that are associated with college students are far from their minds.
But unlike other newlyweds, the Aherns still must worry about textbook prices, tuition and graduation after the honeymoon is over. Though they are married, they still are enrolled as students at Bowling Green State University.
"When we first got engaged, a lot of people said we were too young to get married, especially because we were still in college," Kelsey said. "But I want people to know that it's OK to get married when you're in college if you truly love your significant other."
Although the Aherns were told to expect a number of extra stressors because of their decision to get married while in college, Kelsey said the couple has had a relatively easy time balancing their romantic and educational lives.
"We make life work even though we don't have a lot of money or luxury," Kelsey said. "We have fun together, and that makes life easier."
And though the Aherns may feel they are mature enough to be married while enrolled in college, many other couples choose to wait according to the 2007 results of a marriage survey conducted by the Census Bureau.
According to the survey, the median age of first marriage for men is 27.5, while women are normally 25.9 when they choose to take the plunge.
For sophomore Brittany Jarvie, waiting to get married doesn't seem unreasonable for students who are still taking classes and involved in campus activities.
"I'm engaged right now, but I don't plan on getting married until I graduate from college," Jarvie said.
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