REWIND TO APRIL OF 2012. Miley Ray Cyrus was a 19-year-old beauty dating an equally good lookin’ young adult, Liam Hemsworth, her Last Song co-star and a break-out Hunger Games heartthrob. Everyone thought it was cute. And then, BOOM: THEY GOT ENGAGED. While tweens everywhere squealed in delight at the thought of two of their favorite stars getting hitched at a young age, grown ups everywhere made this face. WHY?

BECAUSE THIS ISN’T GONNA WORK OUT, LITTLE BABIES. SERIOUSLY.

And although we didn’t WISH for the demise of Miley and Liam’s relationship, we just KNEW it was bound to happen, and as of yesterday, the prophecy came true, and both Miley and Liam’s publicists confirmed the engagement was off. And what did we say?

WE TOLD YOU SO.

So, to any other under-25s out there thinking that your just-outta-high-school relationship is marriage material, we beg you to wait for these 5 reasons:

1. You are not done becoming you.

Even though you may think that you are a mature adult who knows everything, you ain’t. Sorry, but you just ain’t. Maybe you’re mature for your age, and you think you’re done growing into yourself. Well you’re not. Just ask Miley, and the very different life decisions she made just months after getting engaged.

2. You’re still allowed to do stupid stuff

In your late teens and early twenties, you’re expected to make some weird decisions. Like, I don’t know, hacking off your hair, or twerking in a unicorn costume. However, you can’t twerk in a unicorn costume AND plan a wedding at the same time. The two are just not cohesive in a life plan.

3. One word: BOOZE

We’re sure Miley, like most others, was drinking before the legal age, but once you are allowed to be seen drinking in public, life gets more complicated. Alcohol impairs your judgement and makes you do silly things. You should enjoy this time when you can shout YOLO or whatever the young people are saying these days without thinking of what your FIANCE might think. Plus, booty calls in your early twenties are the best. Don’t waste that time being engaged!

4. You haven’t quite reached your sexual peak

On the same note as the previous point (and point one), it’s important to remember that you might still have growing to do before you realize your sexual tastes and preferences, and might want to explore with other people before you settle down with one person for the rest of your life. The sexual difference between 2012 Miley and 2013 Miley are staggering. Give yourself time to learn and get to know yourself before you legally commit yourself to someone you’ve only known a few years. Plus, how shitty will it be if you meet someone you have a much steamier connection with – if you’re still engaged?

5. LIFE IS REALLY LONG.

It’s not 1720. People are living till 90 and longer most of the time. If you get married in your early twenties (and don’t PLAN on getting divorced), you’re locking yourself in for 70 years or more! Not that we don’t believe you have a connection with your young lover, but it’s so important to give yourself time to live free before deciding it’s time to “settle down.” You can enjoy each other without slapping a legal document on it. And who knows, you might change your mind and all of a sudden feel lost, and like you didn’t have a chance to grow up.

So teens and young twenty-somethings, COOL YOUR JETS. Enjoy being in a relationship (or don’t!), and don’t think you have to get engaged just because “it’s the next step.” And to Miley and Liam, we’re sorry that it didn’t work out, but… WE TOLD YOU SO.