By Nicarlyle Hanchard / The Jambar
To whomever it may concern, I will be getting married soon. That is how it works when one catches the bouquet, right? Enough about me, congratulations to everyone that will be getting married this wedding season! I hear the bells, and I would also like to see the colors.
All this talk about weddings and marriage has me pondering the history of marriage. At the same time I wonder when so many people got into relationships to get married. In that regard, I have concluded that I am now, however unfortunate, at the age when people have to make serious decisions about their life.
I have studied several Shakesparean plays in high school, and marriage, in most instances, was an economic institution. “The Tempest” and “The Taming of the Shrew,” to name a few, presented marriage as a means of control and social mobility. That presentation raised many questions about the need or importance for marriage.
Presently, some people will argue they prefer marriage’s presentation and representation from “the old days.” I scratch my head thinking about the premise and warrant of that claim. To think that marriage four-to-five generations ago was solely based on love is misguided. There were many factors at play, love included, which led individuals to the “I do’s.”
To the argument that suggests marriages in the past were better than now, I disagree. Not wholeheartedly, but strongly. I will admit, I have heard of many “marriages of convenience” taking place recently, however, I have also heard of an equal amount, if not more marriages, taking place because of love.
The bells that have rung in my earshot have sung many love songs. The ones that lead you to cry even if you don’t know the lovers. Simply the idea of eternal love is enough to please the soul.
Additionally, let it not be said that people marry “those who are available to them.” They might date someone who is “available,” but marriage is a lifelong commitment — as long as life permits it.
As such, I do not believe anyone would commit themselves to someone who was simply available. I believe it to be more than availability that causes people to say the fateful phrase, “Till death do us part.”
In conversation with some friends, we spoke about the various ways people commit themselves to each other — marriage isn’t the only personification of love. Some people do not believe in marriage or what it represents. Others don’t believe in the institution of marriage, but like its symbolic meaning as love epitomized.
Understanding that the big day is accompanied by its fair share of drama. I turn to friends and family who get to partake in this matrimonious occasion. Understand that it’s a privilege to witness the union. You didn’t hear about it in passing, not at the family holiday dinner where you feel othered cause everyone else knew.
No, you were sat in the audience, watching the groomsmen enter, then the bridesmaids and then the bride. In real time, you smiled ear-to-ear seeing the newlyweds walk in separately, and walk out hand in hand. You then must understand the significance of them wanting to share their special day with you.