Marital Bliss

2004-04-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

And so a new chapter begins in the life of this Southerner, a chapter on marriage. For those of you who have followed the adventures I have had over at Single Southern Guy, I can only hope to maintain a sufficent level of adventure in the wedded chapter of life as I did the single chapter. If the old notion of weird, bizarre, and unusual circumstance following me holds up, I'm sure we'll have many entertaining tales to tell. Heck, getting married the way I did and with such swiftness is probably an indication of that the notion still lives with me.

To be perfectly candid, I must say I'm both overjoyed and scared witless. Being married--just the official title of the relationship-- has immediately changed my outlook on life. Now, there is someone I have to answer to for the things I do. I have to consider her before I jump into whatever presents itself. Gone are the days of standing at the water's edge and saying , "What the hell," and leaping in head first. Now, I have to go check the water just below the surface and jump in feet first with knees slightly bent and shoes on my feet to protect against possible injury from unseen hazrds lurking just below the surface. Some hae already advised that I should have done this before plunging right into marriage. I guess they're probably right, but I've been jumping into rivers and water for so long, it seemed like the only way to go into this one. Besides, as the oldest of five siblings with the youngest and I remaining the only unwed ones, it was surely about time for me to get on with being a grown up as well. What, you didn't know that in the South you aren't a grown up until you have a spouse? Well that's how it goes in many families down here South of the Mason-Dixon line. In some families, both you and your spouse do not get to graduate from the 'kiddie' table at holiday dinners until you have a kid of your own to hold your spot.

Many people have asked me what the hell was I thinking? Well to be cliche and quote a country song, "I know what I was feeling, but what was I thinking..." I know this much, it felt right when we were first reunited after years apart. It felt right when we just stopped talking for a moment and looked at each other, it felt right when I hugged her, and it felt right when I kissed her goodnight. Fortunately, I already knew her from back in college so it wasn't a completely blind jump into the wedded state. Then again, like jumping into a river, waters change course and new obstacles settle into bends where you jumped before. I suppose in this case and in the same analogy, this was a bend I had swam before and after a quick glance, I knew it was where I wanted to swim the rest of my days after swimming in so many other locales. It feels right.

In case you're curious, yes, both of our parents are a little perturbed about is marrying without them there and without a full fledged ceremony. I can undersand her parent's point. Being their only daighter, I know her mother was looking forward to the entire 'process' of a wedding. Still, as we told them, our main interest is in a successful marriage, not a perfect wedding ceremony. We have begun planning a reception ceremony for all of the friends and family and that has allayed some of their anxiety. I only hope that I can be as good as a husband as they have been parents to her. If I can pull that off, I might just be able to be a good and loving husband.

So there you have the first post of what I hope to be a long, exciting, and happy journey. From the Quixotic like quest of my single days, I have chased and slayed my last windmill. Gentle readers, it is time to begin embracing a new life and a new love. I'm glad all of you are along.

The Married Southerner

Marital Bliss