I'm with Jen on this one. I was married when I was 26. We were engaged for about 2 year's prior to that. Babies were the last thing on our mind's. I had just finished school and he was only a couple year's into his career. We enjoyed going out and traveling a bit...
Definitly DO NOT settle. I think you are a little wrong assuming most girl's' settle -
I know if I would have married the guy I was dating before DH, I would be MISERABLE !!! So now, Not only would I have been miserable with my marriage, I would been more miserable not being able to get the child I want