The Ceremony

Went to Bogor yesterday. Another friend got married. Congratulations Nunit and Odek (Sunday 12th September 2004 – Ciomas, Bogor).

Hmm, is it a sign that I too, have to settle down?
As hard as it is for me to realize, I think the unsettling feelings I have these past few days, well, I think some part of it (if not large) is contributed by this wandering thoughts.

Mom got married a bit late. She was 29, and Dad was 30. Financial issues. Had to finance their younger siblings before they can step on the threshold and vow their lives for each other. Can’t blame them, if anything, I’m proud of them, they managed to pay for their own lives (and their siblings) with no help from their parents (Mom’s already passed away and Dad only got his mother left).

My sister had a serious relationship for 4 years before she finally decided they weren’t going in the same direction. Dad kept on consoling her that her mother too, got married in her late 20’s. Not helping though. Despite her stacks of to do list every weekend (she never stayed put and chose to hang out with her girlfriends most of the time), there’s always a hint of longing for a relationship, something that will lead her to marriage. Well, what girl wouldn’t want to get married, huh?

Good thing she was always optimistic, and cheerful, and stayed positive. She found her now husband, long after he had been trying to get her, for quite some time (7 years IS a long time, huh?), and decided to accept his hands in marriage after only 5 months. She’s now happily married, for 2 years. Still struggling to have children, but hey, give it time, and I will have my own tiny little nephews and nieces (amiinn…).

I wonder. Why do people have to get married soon? Almost half of my friends got married in their prime time. 21 years old mostly. Now, every once in a while I see the mailing list and pray that no more wedding invitations should pop up, but wish away, mate, coz it’s happening.
Kept thinking if that’s the trend these days, or do people merely want to start early, so when they retire, they will have fully mature children? Or do they simply want to celebrate their love by stepping into a more solid institution called marriage?

Me? Personally, I cannot wait to get married. I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with the man I truly love, hoping that nothing bad should come our way, that we both could raise a family and grow old together (you know, just like one of those High Calcium Milk commercials).
But is it solely enough reason to board that ship? Really?

Money is always a pickle. And most people take the high road and use this excuse when they feel they’re not ready to get married. Money IS a huge issue. But is it big enough to stumble upon? Every time I ask myself this question, I can only answer it with a shrug.

The wedding ceremony I went to yesterday; Nunit seemed happy. Odek, likewise (of course he did). But so much as I envy those happy couple, I will safely say that I won’t go that road yet, at least not in the near future (sigh of relieve…). I guess my energy just flushed down the drain to think about it now.

Relationships are too much to fuss about, now. Maybe given time, I will start thinking about it again, and this time, hope that it WILL be my one and only ceremony.