Back then,most early marriages took place after high school.And yes,I know some people who did that.
I got married in '67,and yes,we were older than you and your wife, when we got married.We're happily married and looking forward to celebrating our 38th wedding anniversary next spring.
As to expectations...I think people did have different expectations,regarding marriage,back then.
I'm the seventh child of my parents. The doctor told my mother eight years previous not to worry she couldn't have anymore children. She was 51 when I started the first grade.
No one every had better parents than me.
My wife comes from a family of ten who's father died at forty three leaving her mother with a pile of kids. She's 80 now and lives with us.