The Promise

A marriage proposal is a promise between two. 

A few weeks ago Dustin proposed to his girlfriend Grace and she was happy to accept.  Last week they held a lunch at a local restaurant to celebrate their commitment.  It had me thinking about what love means today.  No one bats an eyelid when a couple announce they are going to move in together.  Many stay together for years, sometimes forever without taking it further.
 
On the other hand when a marriage proposal is offered and accepted the world becomes a crazy place.  Whether the planned wedding is large and expensive or small and homely there are ongoing plans and decisions to be made.
A down to earth couple suddenly becomes engrossed in everything white, romantic and grossly overpriced! 

My memory takes a sideways slant as I relive our time in Beijing in 2009.   A young Chinese couple were photographed in the Hutong area in full western bridal attire.  I asked our guide where they would have married.  In a temple, a church or a garden setting?   He replied they would be getting married in a few days, it is their tradition to have their photos taken beforehand!  An interesting twist to a western tradition. 

Merv and I will be celebrating our 38th anniversary later this year.  Our wedding was small and personable.  I hired my wedding dress to reduce costs.  There is nothing I regret. Even our not so glamorous honeymoon.  We travelled to the south west staying in cheap hotels and finished in a two man tent for a night.  Merv began wheezing due to the cold night air and we spent most of the night sitting in the car.  Fortunately his asthma disappeared a few years later!

My nephew is soon to marry his bride in a 'pop -up' wedding.  A glammed up registry office wedding at a fraction of the cost of many weddings.  I like the idea.  It provides a beautifully memorable ceremony which allow the couple to put their hard earned money to life's necessities. My two sisters and I are flying interstate to attend.  Pop up weddings are new to Australia and we are excited to witness our nephew's wedding.  Will the pop up just be a fad?  Time will tell.  Marriage itself will never be a fad.  It is here to stay, to enjoy and to remember.