It’s a different world. Most folks back then lived pretty much in the same place their entire lives. Starting in ones teens, it was a race to snag up the desirable mates before they were taken, and if you waited until you were in your 20s, most likely it was too late. You knew there weren’t a lot of fish in the sea, so you had to find someone ‘good enough’ and make it work.
I have zero interest in being wife number 1, 2, or 3.
Good point. Which is why in smaller towns, it’s not uncommon for married couples to have started dating when they were in high school.