As I was scrolling through Facebook the other night, I kept seeing friends, colleagues and acquaintances get engaged, married or having children.  

Now, I am excited for my friends and their loved ones; however, it just seems like it’s a constant trend of everybody getting engaged to get engaged.  

I understand if you love somebody and if you know, you know, but I am seeing people who barely know each other or have dated for a week profess their love for each other all over social media.  

I have been in a relationship for almost two years now, and I can proudly say we haven’t done any cheesy Facebook or Instagram posts.  

Everywhere I look on platforms, there are people announcing to the world how much they love their significant other, or their engagement.  

All these announcements make it seem like these couples are only getting married to get married, which isn’t a valid reason to get married.  

All these “perfect proposals” are just for the clout, and that is no reason to get married to someone; in fact, that’s not a marriage.  

I was talking to a friend from high school the other night and she asked if I was engaged yet or if I will be soon. I was completely thrown off by this. 

I replied “no.” 

Taking the next step is a decision that both members of the couple make together.  

Engagement shouldn’t be just getting married or engaged because society tells you to or because it gets you a thousand likes on social media.  

It makes me sick to my stomach when someone posts their engagement on social media and then they take it down because they weren’t truly ready or in love with the person.  

Get to know the person, take your time and make the decision together because getting married just to get married is not a marriage.  

Finally, being in love with the idea of love is called infatuation, and I wish more people would learn that.

Katelyn Eddington is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or at kdeddington@eiu.edu.