when it happens, and if it works for both partners, it's an amazing thing. But not only is it a rare occurrence, it's also not right for everyone.
It is. Funny thing is, I thought it was the norm when I was growing up, not only because society idolizes it, but because it happened to both my siblings. My brother was 19, his now-wife 16. My sister and now-husband were 13 & 14 when they went out together the first time, then reunited at 18 & 19. Both couples are now over 30, married with kids and as happy as can be (though everyone has their problems).
Today I think it's pretty extraordinary, but at the time it made me feel inadequate.

It automatically makes people feel like failures when their relationship doesn't work out, or when they realize monogamy isn't for them, or when they haven't found someone to spend their lives with by the time they're 25, 30, 35.
My thought exactly. Trying to explain to friends and family that their traditional couple model is not what I'm looking for is a nightmare.

I don't know much about Z&V (just what I've read here), but I like the way you think :-)