I could be just a normal, everyday-kind-of girl shopping the fabric section for party decorations or perhaps a pattern for a bright, shiny new dress. But when I mention that I’m buying for my wedding: suddenly I’m a blushing bride. Suddenly, the fabric clerk’s eyes sparkle with a glint of awe and interest. And, suddenly, I am more interesting. Sometimes they ask when the wedding is. Sometimes they ask to see the ring or what my theme is. They always ask. They always chatter away happily, lost in the romantic idea of young lovers coming together in wedded bliss and living happily ever after {oh, if they only knew one of these “young lovers” has been down the aisle before and the other is a tad bit older than she appears-would they be as giddy?}.
I sometimes feel a little offended {after the moment of blush}. Why am I suddenly more interesting once they know that someone wants to spend the rest of his life with me or that we’re having a party to celebrate? We’ve lived together for seven years and I’ve always known that he was “the one.” So, why then, am I suddenly more interesting now that there’s a sparkly ring on my finger and a date has been set?
Everyone loves a bride. Or maybe everyone is just enchanted by a wedding-a fancy party with pretty decorations and slices of cake, and some dancing. Maybe, everyone loves the hope that weddings represent. Hope for a future filled with love, togetherness, children {in some cases}, and hope that every night for the rest of their lives the bride will have a hand to hold, a cheek to kiss, and loud snoring to keep her awake for most the night.
Whatever the reason, I am happy to be the center of attention for those few moments of genuine curiosity. Since it’s a long engagement I have a whole year to be more interesting and even after that I’ll be able to say “we were just married,” or “our wedding was lovely” and the enchantment will linger.
Or, I’ll answer too many questions about baby carriages….hmmmmmm.
