Random fact: Troth, according to the OED, is the Middle English word for “truth,” so pledging one’s troth is swearing one’s truth — making a vow. Getting married.
Having just received my third wedding invitation for this summer, I realize it’s heading for that time of year.
Oh, those were the days, when I was in college. Come mid-May, I didn’t have a single weekend free. I was always at someone’s wedding. If I wasn’t helping slap on makeup and twist up hair behind the scenes, I was coordinating the cake-cutting, passing out programs and working the gift table, or singing the bridesmaids through the candle-lighting. During my junior and senior years in college, I made the rounds with my voice teacher, singing All I Ask of You, from The Phantom of the Opera at just about everyone’s wedding in two counties (He got paid!!! I, being the student, did not). Once we did it at an outdoor wedding, and I inhaled a gnat. That was … disturbing; I’m pretty sure when I inhaled, it sounded like I was snoring more than breathing. And then there was the wedding with the BEE zipping around me while I sang… But both times, I am proud to say, despite all insect incursions, I never missed a note. (Unfortunately, I now also know that song in my sleep. Ugh. Christine! Your hand! *shudder*)
But I digress. Badly, as usual.
The irony here is that I kind of hate weddings. (Shh!) It’s less the actual “I do” portion, and more a.) getting dressed up on the weekend when I’m too lazy to actually want to even get up, b.) the sentimental wedding poetry on the programs [“Today I marry my friend…”] and c.) the fact – at least in the media – that weddings are the End All, Be All and all girls want them, along with Barbie’s Dream House, and a big white flouncy dress. (Just Say No to flounces, kids.) And then there’s the endless wedding showers beforehand. Passing around someone’s Tupperware and ooh-ing is not my idea of a well-spent Sunday afternoon. (Sorry. Sorry. I know — I’m the Grinch’s evil baby sister.)
It seems my friends have, uh, noticed this small failing of my personality, so I have not been tasked with being a bridesmaid… yet. I know that day is coming, complete with the requisite turquoise dress with the foot-wide bow that I’ll never be able to wear anywhere else. 🙂
…all of which may make you wonder why I chose this song/poem for Poetry Friday. Well, that’s because weddings might stress me out, but I’m a big, big fan of love. (Note to Barbie: There’s a difference. Did you even LOVE Ken before that Dream House???) This song (and I wish I had the music so I knew who this arrangement was by) is a gorgeous translation of 1 Corinthians 13 that I heard a long, long time ago, and the words just came to mind lately.
Love Story
Love is more than speaking words of eloquence
Love is more than knowledge can express;
Love is not the root of man’s intelligence;
Love is not religious holiness.Love is more than feelings of emotion;
Love’s not just a four letter word;
Love is more than human devotion;
Love’s the sweetest story ever heard.For love is always patient, loyal, and true;
Love will never selfishly pursue;
Love will not uncover the wrong in review;
Love abides when others are untrue.Love can bear rejection and injustice;
Love has faith when everything goes wrong;
Love can face a million broken promises;
And forever there will be always faith, hope, and love;
But the greatest of them all is …love.
Note to Jac & Kyle, Will & Julie, Isobel & Donal, and all the rest: I wish you the best of everything.
Poetry Friday is all love and roses at Anastasia Suen’s blog.
*snicker*
And this is why what I REALLY wanted was to run off to Fiji and get married by somebody wearing flowers in their hair. Or something. 🙂
You are not the Grinch’s baby sister, you. And that translation? Wow. Gorgeous.
I’m with Jama: Would love to hear you sing.
I can’t believe I’m rising to Barbie’s defense, but I think she actually paid for her dream house. No wonder she had multiple careers– she needed them.
I must admit that I love weddings. Not the wedding showers, nor the high stress that goes along with pulling off a big shin-dig, but the weddings and receptions themselves. Weddings and funerals are often the two times when families and friends go out of their way to get together (bar and bat mitzvahs are great, too, when I’m invited), and it’s much more fun to cry at a wedding. Of course, there’s all that family drama, too, which gives way to stories that are miserable to live through but great to tell later on. You inhaled a gnat while singing! That’s far more interesting than, “I sang at a wedding and it went fine.”
Feel free to throw stuff at me now.
Ha! I think everyone hates weddings, deep down. I haven’t been to a wedding in a long time. It’s more funerals now. Yikes!!!!
Really, the whole “happy ever after” fairy tale craziness has done more harm than good … and don’t even get me started on Barbie and Ken.
Great post.
Ugh. How is it that you’re on funerals? I’m still on baby showers.
Really, I don’t like any of them. Somehow, human beings lack sufficient understanding of how to relate in seasons of joy OR seasons of pain. At least, THIS human being doesn’t get it…
One of the biggest reasons I loathe singing outdoors; one never knows what one will inhale.
http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/carroll Some more thoughts on marriage.
And you KNOW there’s a big silken teal dress with a large bow in your future….
TEAL? Is it covered with cobwebby lace, too? Will the bow be on my CHEST?
Boy, would I love to hear you sing!!
“Love Story” is wonderful. As for weddings, I don’t mind the ceremony. The receptions, not so much. Maybe I’m still traumatized by being forced to catch the bouquet. BTW, I’m proud to know someone who can still sing while inhaling insects. 😆
I run AWAY from bouquets. Yikes. Floral projectile, coming through! Actually, those bouquets are so gorgeous (and costly) it always makes me wonder why people throw them and fight over them. Strange traditions we get up to…