I want to be a young dad. By 25 or 26 I want to see myself, like

Host: The late afternoon light in the café cast long shadows across the wooden tables, the world outside transitioning into evening, the streets wet from an earlier rain. Inside, the warmth of the conversation created its own kind of intimacy, as Jack and Jeeny shared a quiet moment between them. Jeeny, ever the one to reflect deeply, broke the silence first, her voice thoughtful but searching.

Jeeny: “I was reading something Justin Bieber said recently, and it really stuck with me. He said, ‘I want to be a young dad. By 25 or 26 I want to see myself, like, married or start looking for a family.’” She looked at Jack, her gaze steady. “Do you think there’s a right age to start thinking about marriage and family, or do we just follow this expectation of when we should be ready?”

Jack: He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the idea, but there was a hint of skepticism in his voice. “It’s interesting that he sees marriage and kids as something to check off at a specific age. 25 or 26 sounds so young, but I guess the world has changed. People are settling down earlier now, in some ways, but at the same time, people are also waiting longer. I think there’s pressure, though, to have things figured out by a certain age, to have your life mapped out.” He paused, his voice becoming more reflective. “But does that make it the right time? Or do we just assume there’s an age where everything should fall into place?”

Host: The flickering light from the streetlamps outside created soft shadows on the table, and Jeeny’s expression softened, her voice quiet but firm as she responded.

Jeeny: “I think the idea of having everything ‘figured out’ by a certain age is a bit of a myth. There’s no ‘right’ age for anything, especially marriage or kids. It’s more about where you are in your life, what you want, and whether you’re ready to take on those responsibilities. But I think Justin Bieber’s point is interesting in that he’s already looking forward to that phase of life. Some people are eager to start a family earlier, others later, and that’s all valid. It’s more about the intention behind it, the desire to build something long-term, to create a future with someone.” She leaned in, her voice more personal now. “For him, that’s what he wants, and that’s fine. But it’s not the same for everyone. I think we need to trust ourselves to make the right decisions at the right time, not because of societal pressure.”

Jack: “True,” he said, his voice growing more understanding. “I guess the idea of when to settle down is so personal. You can’t really follow someone else’s timeline. It’s about what feels right for you. Justin Bieber, at 25, might feel ready to start a family, but for someone else, it could be 35, 40, or maybe never. The pressure to follow a prescribed timeline often makes people feel like they’re doing something wrong if they don’t hit those markers.” His voice became softer, more thoughtful. “Maybe it’s about being honest with yourself—knowing when you’re truly ready for that next chapter in life, rather than just doing it because society says it’s time.”

Jeeny: “Exactly,” she said with a soft smile, her eyes warm with understanding. “It’s about feeling prepared, feeling ready, and doing it for the right reasons—not because you feel like you should, but because it’s the right fit for you at that moment in time. And that’s why age doesn’t matter as much as people make it out to. We’re all on our own paths.” She paused for a moment, reflecting, then added with a gentle laugh, “I mean, look at how many people are still figuring things out well into their 30s or even 40s. So the ‘right age’—it’s less about a number and more about where you are in life.”

Host: The rain outside had stopped, leaving a soft, refreshing stillness in the air. Inside, the café felt quieter, the conversation now flowing between them like a shared realization. Perhaps the idea of a “right age” for marriage and family was more about personal readiness and intention than about any arbitrary number. Everyone’s path was different, and it was that sense of authenticity—being true to your own timing—that mattered most.

Jack: “So, it’s less about the age and more about understanding what you want at that time in your life, what you’re willing to give, and whether you’re truly ready for the next chapter,” he said, a smile playing on his lips as he reflected. “It’s all about choice and timing, not the world telling you when it’s time to do things.”

Jeeny: “Exactly,” she said, her voice filled with a quiet but certain wisdom. “It’s about being true to your own journey, not someone else’s expectations. And in the end, that’s the key to feeling settled and confident about the decisions you make, no matter when they come.”

Host: The café had settled into a peaceful quiet, the world outside still reflecting the soft shimmer of lights in the wet streets. Inside, the conversation between Jack and Jeeny had reached a point of quiet understanding. It wasn’t about age or societal expectations—it was about following your own rhythm, trusting your instincts, and knowing when you’re truly ready for the next step in life. Time, it seemed, was just a number when the heart was ready.