If you have been reading the blogs or the newspapers lately, you have seen the chorus of people who roundly disavow any interest in the royal wedding. Fair enough. I admit the wall-to-wall coverage is probably annoying to people who have no interest. It is true that an obscene amount of public money has been lavished on a ceremony when many people in England are groaning under the double-whammy of high taxation and skyrocketing unemployment, but I still hope something good can come out of this very public affirmation of marriage.
I grew up in an era when little girls began planning their wedding before they were in kindergarten. I remember playing Bride by walking around my bedroom with a white towel draped over my head. This sort of thing was fun, and even though it is now eschewed by academics who believe little girls should be taught to aspire to something more professional, I am sorry the cynicism of our era has taught young women to be skeptical of marriage. Given recent history of the royal family, such skepticism may be well-founded, but whoever thought it was a good idea for a 33-year old man to marry a 19-year old girl he barely knew? William & Kate are both 29 and have been dating for years, so I am hoping they’ve got the foundation and stamina to make it across the finish line.
We live in an era where a ‘starter marriage’ has become par for the course. People get married jumping out of helicopters or at drunken affairs in a Las Vegas chapel. Not too long ago, a celebrity got married with a whacky Alice-in-Wonderland theme. She is already divorced.
This morning, millions of girls dragged themselves out of bed in the dark hours of the morning to witness a big, bold, stick-in-your-memory-forever type of wedding. I hope it becomes something for them to aspire to. I am not referring to the horse-drawn carriage or the lavish gowns. I want them to remember this celebration of a once in a lifetime event. The wedding was a solemn occasion mingled with joy, pageantry, and music that soared to shake the rafters. William and Kate were married within the sight of God with reverence, solemnity, and respect for tradition. These girls witnessed the acknowledgement that a marriage can be a life-altering and life-affirming event. And that is a good thing!
Wishing William and Kate all the best!
Photo courtesy of Defence Images
Comments 1
Well said!