[Ninja]

You should not pursue a relationship, children or anything for that matter only because society says so. Follow your own lifescript and don't let others write it for you.

- My uncle didn't fall in love until he was 60 and he never even planned on it, being the 'quirky bachelor' that he was. They live together, but do not plan to ever exchange rings.

- Another uncle (and aunt) married at age 16, but never had children because they didn't want to. They are now 57 and 62 (my aunt is the older one, another taboo), early retired, and spend their days gardening, helping out at the animal shelter and riding my uncle's motorcycle while singing "U can't touch this" by MC Hammer. They have no shame, couldn't care less about the can't-you-just-be-normal-like-the-rest-of-us crowd and I love them for it.

- Then there's my parents who did settle down, got married, had kids and basically followed the standard lifescript, but did so because they wanted to, not because others pushed them.

- My younger sister made herself believe she was in love with a guy, just so she could be 'normal'. He abused her, beat her and destroyed her self-esteem, but she managed to hide it because she feared he would hurt me and my parents. When my father caught him in the act though... well, let's just say 'casanova' will think twice before showing his face again. Eventually she did find happines with a great guy and LOTS of animals, but she still regrets giving into peer pressure.

Four different ways of life, the same outcome: happiness. There is no ultimate lifescript and for me it took Steve's blog to finally see this. Don't let others live your life for you!