What would life be like if you'd married your first love?
Most of us can remember the rush of young love: that first look, the first date and, oh yes, that first electric kiss. But no matter how all consuming that first love can be, research shows that for most of us the relationship is likely to be short lived.
"Fewer than 2% of people marry their high school sweetheart, and when teens do get married, only about half of them make it to their ten year anniversary", says Dr Amanda Ferguson, psychologist and host of the podcast, Psych for Life.
"The simple truth is that our brains - or certainly the frontal lobe, which is responsible for reasoning, communication and emotional regulation - is still developing throughout our 20s."
What then, do we make of couples who not only began dating as teenagers but remain happily married many decades later?
"Emotional maturity and having shared goals lay a solid foundation, but couples also need to know that love is not enough," says Ferguson.
"The secret to a long and successful marriage is acquiring the tools to make a conscious effort to nurture and protect a marriage. You need to cherish the relationship and show affection, appreciation and kindness towards your partner. It takes work."
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