Our boy knows his wife is gold. Good thing he is being honest with himself and not letting embarassment stop him from being sincere with those he loves. He is indeed becoming more mature!
And yeah, scarcity economical conditions (generally pre-industrial) do pose this problem that each person is a pair of hands to work, produce food or craft, but also a mouth to feed. Also... people giving their daughters away to a family they won't see much better feel like they will be taken good care of for the rest of their lives.