Dear Abby: I am 20 and have been with my boyfriend, "Griffin," for 5 years. He recently gave me a beautiful promise ring. I would like to spend the rest of my life with him, but I think I have a problem.

I am going to become an adoption professional, and I plan on adopting one day. Griffin knows I'm pursuing this career and that I want to adopt, but I don't think he understands how serious I am about it. We don't plan on being married until after college, when we'll both be 25.

How do I let him know I'm serious about this? I don't want to wait 5 more years and find he's not on the same page and that I wasted my time. When I try to discuss it, Griffin says we're "too young to think about it." What do I say to that? – Mapping Out My Future in L.A.