Marriage

Lately every weekend has been filled with weddings and hens nights, it has forced me to revaluate my relationships and what I really want out of love.

Those who know me, know that I am not the biggest fan of marriage, I remember telling one of my friends who got married recently, “maybe when I’m 50 I’ll get married, because then I’ll be closer to death.”

Somehow the marriage gene has skipped me. I never enacted with Barbie dolls two people walking down the aisle, or envisioned a dress, a cake, food, a venue. It’s just never been a big deal for me.

Perhaps that has something to do with my parents. My mum and dad married when I was about 9 years old, I got to be a bridesmaid at my Mum’s wedding. The reason they got married is because my Dad had a near death experience, and one of his regrets would be not marring her, and Mum kinda felt like she couldn’t say no to that. There is a lot of love between my parents, but marriage wasn’t really a big deal. It was a low key day. Mum and Dad told their friends that they were having a party then surprised them that they got married earlier that day. My Mum wore pants on her wedding day for Christ sake.  

I think if I did get married it would be a low key back yard wedding, and it would be more like a contract. You vow before all these people that you will take out the rubbish every week, rain, snow or shine. You vow before all these people that you will take me on one overseas trip (at least) per year.

 Don’t get me wrong, I think the commitment that two people make to each other is absolutely beautiful. Pretty much what you are saying is no matter what comes up, you are going to work on it, and your love for each other will be stronger than whatever obstacle comes your way. Who wouldn’t want someone so devoted to them that they are prepared to make that type of commitment?

I love celebrating my friend’s happiness, sure I’m a little jealous that they have found the love of their lives, but mainly I’m happy for them because I can see how great they are together.

For me, I don’t think I need the day. I, like pretty much everyone on this planet, would like to find love, not necessarily a marriage but love.

Here’s a note for the future suitors in my life, if you want to make a commitment to me, bend down on one knee and say,

“Rose Rees-Owen”

“Yes?”

“Would you go travelling indefinitely with me?”

While I was travelling, most of the time I was happy, but one movie that stuck like a bad smell was “into the wild”. About a boy who gave up his family, his social security number, his friends and went into the wild (surprise, surprise). Any traveller can relate to the freedom of no attachments, but what he learns is, “happiness is only real when shared”. It made me miss my family and close friends a whole lot, and wonder what my life would be like if I stuck around long enough to form a romantic and meaningful bond. Would I be like my friends walking down the aisle?

But then again, that isn’t me.