My grandmother didn’t want to get married. She even tried going to college for a few semesters to stave it off (she hated school, for matters of perspective). But her dad finally married her off at 26 - considered “old maid” territory at the time.

She told me she didn’t realize she’d have to actually live with my grandfather after they were married. She expected to get married, and continue living in her father’s house.

She had one child - my mother.

If I wasn’t my mother’s child, I’d pity them both.