What My Life Could Have Been

I was recently added to a Facebook group (because you no longer have a say on Facebook) for my High School 5-year reunion. Yes, that's a thing where I'm from. And technically it shouldn't happen for another year, but they're already planning it.

I was looking through the other group members one day when I was bored and realized that based on profile pictures alone they're are at least 10 children that belong to former classmates. Yep, 10 children four years out of high school. I'm pretty sure only 5 people max are married, and only one of them has a child (and she was pregnant at graduation).

                                                                  (source Pinterest)

Now I know I'm from a small town and it's the kind of place where people don't really leave and just kind of settle into their lives very quickly, but really? I just graduated college, am looking for a full time job, hell I don't even have a dog (only because my landlord won't let me but that's not the point) and these people have KIDS?!?
Something is wrong with this.
I will never understand why at 22 someone would want to have a child, you haven't experienced life yet or grown up, why would you want the responsibility of another life? Even if you got married young, wouldn't you want to spend time with your other half exploring the world before you rush into raising a child?

I actually had a dear friend from home visit CA recently on vacation. He's the kind of boy I would probably end up with if I ever moved back. Alright, he's probably the exact boy I would end up with if I moved back to where I grew up. We were out one night and after a few drinks he asked me to move home. Now, this was not the first time we'd had this conversation but it was the first time in person. I asked him what I would do there (it's a tiny town and I have a PR degree, my skills aren't exactly in high demand) to which he responded "We'll get married and have lots of kids." It was so matter of fact and so-- there. I could move home and be married within 3 years, no question. It's just what people do.

I can't say I haven't entertained the thought, especially when things aren't going well in LA, but then I remember I left for a reason. Yes I make stupid mistakes and I'm sure many of people back home think I'm crazy, but I'd rather be single and still learning and growing as a person than be raising a family and stuck in the same place for the rest of my life. I'm busting my ass trying to create the life I always wanted for me. Yes that involves falling in love and getting married one day, but it also means living in a place that makes me happy and finding a career I adore.

I'm trusting that one day I'll have that life, or another life I'm just as happy with. I'm in no rush to settle down, in no rush to get married and have a child. Sure if the right guy came along tomorrow I wouldn't turn him away, but if he takes his time getting here I'm okay with that too.

Am I wrong, should I be more like the people I went to high school with? Did you get married/start a family young, would you do it again? Are you with me, do you think it's crazy to have that kind of responsibility so young? Have you ever looked at the life you "could have had?"