jtee

Maturity is a relative thing, so there is likely a handful of teenagers who are mature well beyond their years. The concern I think most parents have is that an adult is attracted to their son/daughter and inappropriate relationship develops.

If my 12 year daughter in 1-2 years were to say she met her soul mate, I think my wife and I would say waiting a couple more years as "Just friends" won't make that much of a difference. A good buddy of mine did meet his (future) wife when they were 15 and dated exclusively, but they did not get married until they were 22. They have been married for 20+ years.