Ugh, thanks for the perspective check. Michelle probably has been pushed about this as well and that's why she's been hesitant every time I kept emphasizing how we would be better off eloping and then putting the real money towards an anniversary "renewal of vows" (imo this is what pisses me off the most about the wedding industry: we should put the money into celebrating people who lasted through the worst, not towards new beginnings), and she's sympathetic enough to understand my thinking, but her friends are really into the traditional thing and I don't think her parents are into that concept either.

When money is tight, and when I want her to stop paying 200 dollars in finance charges, I just keep thinking this is why we can't afford kids for another couple of years. Her parents will offer support, but having kids who were always taught to want while being spoiled by grandparents doesn't sound like a good combo to me. I just... ugh, my pessimism keeps spiking.

And no worries assuming my gender, hah; I would get often confused for a woman. Someone told me that I have a playful, teasing, way about my writing that makes people think it came off as feminine.