June Weddings
|
From the book Spider's Big Catch
As June wraps its arms around us like the warm hug of a favorite aunt, I begin to think about weddings. I've been a musician for thirty years, and I've played at scores of weddings and receptions, sometimes more than once for the same person. It was a way to make a living-the money was good and there was usually decent food.
As a wedding soloist, I'd sit off to the side, watching brides in white dresses and grooms in rented tuxedos promise to love each other forever. But somehow, I couldn't shake a sadness that always hung over me as I watched, knowing that one in every two marriages will fail.
I can't explain it, but over the years, I developed an eye for knowing whether a couple was going to make it or not. There was just something about the way the bride and groom related to each other-the look in their eyes and their body language-that offered clues as to how their marriage was going to turn out.
Then one afternoon, while our band was playing for a large reception in a small town ballroom, I casually looked across the vast sea of people. My glance moved from table to table, until I saw the bride and groom, sitting alone in a corner. They were sitting in total ease, holding hands, saying nothing.
Her flowing white dress and his tuxedo seemed out of place, but their happiness and comfort with each other was totally apparent. There was no question that those two people belonged together. They would've been sitting there in those same two chairs, still holding hands in exactly the same way, if they'd been wearing blue jeans and overalls at someone else's reception.
They were at a party, to be sure-a big, loud party. But the party was really for the benefit of everyone else in attendance. They were totally comfortable just sitting in their corner, out of the limelight, watching the people they loved having a good time.
As cynical as I'd become over the years, something struck me at that moment as I watched that couple. I realized that weddings actually represent the triumph of the human spirit. Every marriage is a public statement by two people, letting the whole world know that together, they choose to believe that their union will be the one-in-two that lasts.
When thought of in that way, every wedding really symbolizes a victory of hope-in the face of all odds. Sure, it'll take all their courage and strength to succeed, but no matter what, couples continue to try.
They know the statistics are against them-but they look straight into the eyes of the odds makers and say, "So what?"
And why not? Throughout history, people have staked their fortunes, and sometimes their very lives, on less than a 50-50 chance.
Maybe that's why we hold so many weddings in the month of June. It's a month that can be unpredictable-full of warmth and promise one minute, and then suddenly becoming stormy and filled with uncertainty.
As for me, since seeing that couple, holding hands at their reception, I've begun singing my wedding solos with a renewed hope-embodied by two people at the altar, vowing to face their future together, in spite of overwhelming odds.
© 2004. Gary E. Anderson. All rights reserved.
About The Author
Gary Anderson is a freelance writer, editor, ghostwriter, and manuscript analyst, living on a small Iowa farm. He's published more than 500 articles and four books. He's also ghosted a dozen books, edited more than 30 full-length manuscripts, produced seven newsletters, and has done more than 800 manuscript reviews for various publishers around the nation. If you need writing or editing help, visit Gary's website at www.abciowa.com. abciowa@alpinecom.net
|
|
|
Second Marriages. Estate Planning Concerns
One of the biggest areas of dispute in estate planning is with second marriages. Here is a question I received. I've changed the facts around so that I am not giving specific legal advice.Phil,My dad, age 87, is getting married soon so that his new wife will be eligible for social security benefits on his earnings. In his living trust he had ma...(related: Marriage Wedding)
How To Choose The Right Wedding Bouquet Style
Basically, there are three wedding bouquet styles. The cascade, round or posy, and hand-tied.The cascade, as the ...(related: Marriage Wedding)
What Makes The Best Wedding Anniversary Gift?
Choosing a wedding anniversary gift that wows your husband or wife can rate high on your anxiety list; your anniversary is an occasion where the thought counts even more than the gift. The idea that your loving spouse should "know what I want" can lead to disappointed expectations, as men and women tend to have radically different ideas about what "romantic" means. Mind reading is an art, not a science; so make it easy for your husband or wife to choose a wedding anniversary gift. Drop easy-to-figure-out hints or talk about how you would love to celebrate your anniversary.You don't always have the money or the time to plan an extravagant wedding anniversary celebration, and truly, the amount of money spent isn't going to be what makes your husband or wife feel cheris...(related: Marriage Wedding)
How To Have A Sizzler Of A Honeymoon. Article No.2
Ah! It's the wedding night. You've cut the cake, drank the toast, danced the dance, and now, at last you are completely alone. Unlike the bride and groom ...(related: Marriage Wedding)
Bachelorette Parties: Fun Alternatives To A Wild Night
If bar-hopping and male strippers aren't the bride's idea of a fun time, perhaps you should reconsider her bachelorette party festivities. (I know, I know...bachelorette parties are a great reason to plead temporary insanity.) But don't despair! There are lots of fun ways to celebrate the bride's final moments of her single life.Pamper and PrimpSpend the day at the spa. It's a great way to get the girls together and celebrate this special time....(related: Marriage Wedding)
Why You Should Buy That Wedding Gift From The Gift Registry - Or, The Wedding Gifts From Hell!
When you come to choose a wedding gift it's no wonder that marrying couples issue a wedding gift registry. It's how to get exactly what you want; here are some true-life stories of the worst wedding gifts ever.A person was attending their cousins wedding and had not got around to buying a present, so she stopped at a drug store on the way to the wedding and bought some shower gel and deodorant. To finish it off she wrapped the gift up in a plastic bag! Needless to say she was horrified the following morning when all the family sat round and watched the bride and groom open up their presents.Lesson LearnedPlan ahead; buy the gift at least one month before the wedding. Never leave it to the last minute.How about the wedding where the mother of the bride gave the happy couples an IOU. Seriously! The m...(related: Marriage Wedding)
Marriage Advice: Ten Ways To Add Romance To Your Marriage
Every marriage needs a healthy dose of on-going romance to add spice, delight, and fun to the relationship. It's not enough to just start out with a sizzl...(related: Marriage Wedding)
Unhappy Marriage: Should You Stay Or Leave?
There's no one simple answer to the question that I'm often asked, "Should I stay in my marriage, even though I'm unhappy, or should I leave?" It's impossible to give a "one size fits all" response because every marriage is different.But there are some general guidelines that you can consider if you're in this situation. Use these thirteen tips to reflect on your marriage, your energy level, your commitment, and the degree of your dissatisfaction.1.Don't give up prematurely. You have invested time, energy, money, hopes...(related: Marriage Wedding)
Wedding Favors, A Special Thank You For Your Guests
Wedding favors are as unique and varied as the couples whose marriage they commemorate. From shot glasses to chocolate roses, coasters to napkin holders, the bride to be has literally hundreds of ideas to choose from.Wedding favors have been a part of traditional wedding ceremonies dating back ...(related: Marriage Wedding)
Top 10 Wedding Decoration Budget Tips
When it comes to choosing your wedding decorations, you must decide on your theme. Once you have done this, you can then make your decisions about the budget that you will have.Here are the top 10 tips that you should know in order to lower the cost of your wedding decorations.1. Decide on the essential items that you must have first and then worry about the extras.2. Hand make the centerpieces yourself using items priced toward your budget.3. Using artificial flowers is cheaper than fresh flowers unless you pick them yourself fro...(related: Marriage Wedding)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | Weddings & Honeymoons | All Rights Reserved. | Marriage Wedding