Ritual

Over the weekend, a work acquaintance got married. This marriage is the second for both the bride and groom . . . and the blended family now has multiple children. I don't know much about the groom, other than he has one of those typically macho jobs and a friend of a friend says he's a nice guy. The bride was engaged previously to two other men since the break up of her first marriage. I would like to think that previous false starts means the bride has time to reconsider what she wants in a mate.

What I don't get is the nearly obsessive pursuit of a "traditional" wedding . . . complete with marshmallow dress, giant, tiered cake, and symbols of virginity.

Even more puzzling is that the bride promised, in her vows, to "strive to be obedient." I'm not sure why there is so much emphasis on female obedience in weddings. My understanding is the biblical admonishment to women for obedience is immediately followed with instruction to men to be respectful of their wives. I'm pretty sure I've never heard similar emphasis put on masculine respectfulness in the same manner as feminine obedience.

Just think what the state of het. marriage would look like if we instructed men on their "husbandly duties" in the same way as we do women.