10/25/12
According to the Buddhist philosophy that is basically coveted by the entire west coast, one should and can live exclusively in the present to enjoy a happy life. However it is fair to ask how on earth that is possible with all the technology and availability to be anywhere else in the world at any given moment. What could possibly pull any American from their iPhone 5? When there are twitters to be twatted then why look away from the glowing LCD screen? There's only one easy answer to this question; it's the ancient institution that has been an integral part of our society since before sliced turkey, weddings.
I have now been to two Gonzaga weddings. There is a borderline ridiculous statistic that says more than half of Zags end up married to other Zags. I don't know about the success rate of that stat but I love it. If you know my history with the female race, it might seem odd for me to love a stat that confines most zags to the people they met in Spokane. I have one simple reason for resisting my usual nature on the subject, because I love weddings. You turn your phone off for the ceremony, make sure to get a seat in the back because side comments are best done out of sight, and try to keep up with the religious responses for today's Priest. I'm guessing that there's some kind of Catholic Playbook that atheists can look up to seem more at ease in these ceremonies. The priest will say "Christ be with you," audience response, "and also with you." Then it gets more complicated, "The word of the Lord," audience, "Thanks be to God." And the height of confounding call and response, "Jesus had 99 problems," audience, "But Mary ain't one."
Jokes aside, if you came to this ceremony in a skimpy dress or perhaps the cathedral's heating isn't up to par, have no fear because the heartwarming love between the bride and groom is undoubtedly here. The two faces fresh with new love and promise can make even the most cynical-single-man-atheist's hair stand on end. It baffles me every time and does a great service to the audience, helping them believe in true love if only for a half hour.
Following the ceremony you don't have to do anything, just live in the well-dressed moment and flow on with the school of relatives and friends towards the open bars. Keeping with the Catholic tradition of an Irish stomach, the drinks are poured stiff. One needs to be sauced before the dinner meat. Naturally the first dance goes to the bride and groom who flex their ability to melt hearts once again. At this point there is chance of cardiac arrest among the older guests because the essential muscle is little more than a puddle. By now the audience is thoroughly sold on the idea of true love, only amplified by the open bar and dashing appearances of the wedding party.
The dance floor is like Vegas with children. What happens there stays there but your body can only take so much of it. It's basically the same as dancing in your room because judgements were left at the high wooden church doors, we're here to witness a miracle, not reinvent the two step. Old and young get together with support and laughter. Bride's do unspeakable things in their white dress and the groom cheers her on, shall we say, eagerly.
If this kind of thing is not worthy of ignoring the various distractions that come with the 21st century, then good day to you. Stop reading this blog because you are not welcome here. I suppose there are other kinds of things one can live in the moment for, but the easiest (and perhaps most expensive) is a wedding. When faced with an invitation and subsequently feel hesitation, bury it in the depths of your cowardice and RSVP right way. My Mom made me live by one rule growing up, "Always go to the funeral," I'd like to add "Always go to the wedding."
Congratulations to this summer's newlyweds, the Letsingers and the Hilgers.
PS No wedding photos for this one, each wedding I bring my camera but am too caught up in the moment to use it.
PPS If you'd like to waste some more time, I've added a section that takes you to my video page, almost all were shot in college and might make you cringe…so check it out?
