The question you already know is coming

Summer means family gatherings. The reunions, the weddings, relatives visiting from the province. And somewhere between the first round of food and dessert, it always comes up. "So, when are you getting married?" It might be an aunt leaning in with a smile. Could be a cousin who already has two kids. Or a grandmother saying it loud enough for the whole table to hear. You laugh it off. You change the subject. You scroll your phone a little longer than usual. It is the same question every year. And every year, it still lands somewhere tender. You are not actually worried. You are just tired of the explaining. The truth is, you are busy. You have a career, a schedule that barely has room for yourself, savings goals you are actually keeping. None of that makes a cute answer at the dinner table. Have you been getting this question lately? How do you respond without ruining your own evening?