On Sundays, I don’t usually have much to do so my mind starts wandering, asking myself––then my beloved husband gets caught in the crosshairs––philosophical questions.
My wedding anniversary is next month, so I started thinking: “Why do people marry?”––other than the obvious: “Because I love him/her.” But why make your companionship a permanent situation? Why the whole spiel of a ritual wedding, a contract, where all of your family members recognize this person whom will now be a part of your life.
So I asked my husband: “Babe, why did you marry? Why did you choose me?” Of course, the obvious came out, he said, “Because I love you. ‘Cause I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Why make it official?” I probed further.
“Because people get lonely.”
“Can’t you just surround yourself with friends? That would cure loneliness, wouldn’t it?... Can’t you share with your buddies the same you share with me?”
“Yeh, but it’s not the same. You think I can talk to them the way I talk to you?”
“I don’t know. You tell me––so why marriage? Why the need for a permanent companion?”
“Hell, I don’t know. So people can have someone sitting in their living room!”
We both laughed. Yet I don’t think he really knew the answer to the question. I’m sure the question is answerable. Is it? I personally don’t know the answer. Do you?
My wedding anniversary is next month, so I started thinking: “Why do people marry?”––other than the obvious: “Because I love him/her.” But why make your companionship a permanent situation? Why the whole spiel of a ritual wedding, a contract, where all of your family members recognize this person whom will now be a part of your life.
So I asked my husband: “Babe, why did you marry? Why did you choose me?” Of course, the obvious came out, he said, “Because I love you. ‘Cause I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Why make it official?” I probed further.
“Because people get lonely.”
“Can’t you just surround yourself with friends? That would cure loneliness, wouldn’t it?... Can’t you share with your buddies the same you share with me?”
“Yeh, but it’s not the same. You think I can talk to them the way I talk to you?”
“I don’t know. You tell me––so why marriage? Why the need for a permanent companion?”
“Hell, I don’t know. So people can have someone sitting in their living room!”
We both laughed. Yet I don’t think he really knew the answer to the question. I’m sure the question is answerable. Is it? I personally don’t know the answer. Do you?