Chapter 7: Marriage and Subversion

This is what intimacy does to us over time. It causes us to inherit and trade each other's stories. Beautifully said. It makes me think about the stories me and my husband have shared and traded. Sharing stories in the dark or in moonlit space is indeed very special and brings up untold stories. Nighttime talking is very different from daytime talking. Also evening talk when out in nature is very different from stories shared indoors. I picture us sitting at the beach staring into the horizon into endless space, it brings back nice memories. I like the word cue game Liz and Felipe play to summon memories: trading of stories in the dark.

What is it about a public, legal ceremony that means so much to many people is what this chapter deals with. It is an interesting aspect in the whole wedding business affair. It is also something that popped up during our last face-to face meet up. I consider a non-legally-binding commitment ceremony as (emotionally) important as an official ceremony. Sometimes maybe such 'ceremonies' are even more important and beautiful for the couple themselves. Liz and Felipe's ceremonies were very cute and private. How do we make the decision on what we want for our 'wedding ceremony'?

Everyone has very different views on what kind of wedding ceremony/celebration they want. Sometimes interference from the 'outside world' can make planning such events quite stressful and unromantic. Maybe that is why some people choose to keep it small. Some, just like Liz & Felipe, want a very very small gathering for the ceremony. Others, like myself, want the best party ever :-).
I guess it also makes a difference if it is a first marriage or not. Liz points out that the outside world wants a public ceremony so that they know with certainty where everybody stands in relationship to everybody else. Is this the case? I thought it was also for the beauty of seeing a couple in love and enjoying a good time together (in whichever way pleases the couple the best)..