I first got engaged when I was 19, but I just knew there was
I first got engaged when I was 19, but I just knew there was more of life out there for me. I called it off six weeks before the wedding. I felt terribly guilty because he was such a nice boy, and I was in love with him. But it was the wrong time.
In the words of Anita Dobson, “I first got engaged when I was 19, but I just knew there was more of life out there for me. I called it off six weeks before the wedding. I felt terribly guilty because he was such a nice boy, and I was in love with him. But it was the wrong time,” we hear the cry of a soul torn between love and destiny. The wedding, that most sacred threshold, stood before her, yet her heart whispered that her journey was not yet meant to cross it. Here lies the eternal conflict: the pull of affection against the call of self-discovery.
Her words remind us that even love, pure and true, is sometimes not enough if the spirit is unprepared. To bind oneself too early, without first tasting the fullness of life, can transform a covenant into a cage. Dobson’s choice, though painful, was an act of courage—she chose guilt in the moment to avoid regret in the years to come. To recognize the wrong time is itself wisdom, for timing often determines whether love flourishes or withers.
History recalls the story of Joan of Arc, who rejected marriage not because she despised love, but because she knew her path demanded something greater at that moment. Though her destiny was bound not to a wedding, but to battle and sacrifice, her decision reveals the same truth: one must answer the call of life’s season. To wed out of fear or conformity, rather than readiness, is to betray both oneself and the one loved.
Dobson’s guilt—her sorrow over wounding “a nice boy”—teaches us another lesson: that to follow one’s path sometimes means causing pain to others. Yet this pain is not cruelty, but honesty. Better a wound borne in truth than a bond forged in false readiness. Her words remind us that love must not only be tender but also wise, and wisdom sometimes calls us to walk away.
Thus, let this teaching endure: the wedding is not only about love, but about time, readiness, and the courage to discern one’s season. To step forward too soon is to risk building a house on unsteady ground. Dobson shows us that it is better to pause, to explore, to grow, than to bind oneself in haste. For love, if true, does not perish with delay—it waits for the right hour, when two souls are not only in love, but fully prepared to walk together into forever.
HLHieu Luongdinh
Anita Dobson’s reflection on calling off her engagement shows how life can sometimes lead us in directions we never expected. It’s an important reminder that it’s okay to change course, even if it’s difficult. I wonder, though, how many people would have stayed in a relationship out of guilt, despite knowing that it wasn’t the right time. What does it take to recognize when staying isn’t the best choice, even if it means letting go of someone we care about?
NKNi Kieu
Anita Dobson's experience brings up a question about the complexities of relationships and personal growth. It’s clear that she felt genuine love, but she also recognized the need to pursue her own path. How often do people make decisions based on a deep sense of responsibility or guilt, even when they know it’s not the right choice? What role do self-awareness and timing play in relationships, and how do we recognize when it’s time to step away?
LTLe Tri
I really respect Anita Dobson’s honesty in sharing her story. It's tough to walk away from a relationship, especially when you feel a deep emotional connection, but sometimes personal growth and timing are more important than love alone. I wonder, do we often prioritize the comfort of staying in relationships because of fear of change, even when we know deep down that it’s not the right fit? How do we overcome that fear?
HNThi Huong Nguyen
Anita Dobson’s experience highlights a very real dilemma many people face—being in love but realizing that the timing just isn’t right. It’s a tough decision, especially when you care about someone deeply. It makes me wonder, how do we really know when the timing is right for something as big as marriage? Can we ever truly predict that, or does it always come with a sense of uncertainty?
LHNguyen Thi Lan Huong
Anita Dobson’s story really resonates with the struggle of following your heart while also considering what’s best for your future. It’s so easy to feel pressured to follow through with commitments, even when we sense that it’s not the right time. I wonder, though, how often do people stay in situations out of guilt or fear of disappointing others? How can we balance the desire for personal growth with the pain of letting someone down?