Just this past weekend I attended one of my other half's numerous family weddings - with six aunts and uncles each having had more than your standard 2.3 children it's hardly slim pickings now that the cousins are all classified as adults. However, it gives me many annual excuses to go out, buy a dress, wear it once, forget all about it and then get a lovely surprise when it suddenly reappears back into my life. Of course, only after I've gone out and bought another one.What can I say? I'm creating a legacy for my kids.
I intend on building it up for another decade or so first, though, but many family members seem to have different ideas. Most of my man's strong-willed family married young when it was socially acceptable, financially advisable and actually rather fashionable. Oh, and let's not forget the love. However, they now seem to think that because we are engaged we shall also be getting hitched ASAP instead of enjoying (milking) it for the next few years. The majority of the people I spoke to first words were "So when are you getting married?" Okay, yes I can understand the reasoning behind this what with the gorgeous piece of jewellery on my left hand, but, after the tenth person came up to me with an expectant look on their face as if I was going to trample all over the actual bride's big day by announcing that my wedding would be taking place in ten minutes just down the hall, I was exhausted. Apparently only some people understand the "long engagement" effect - which is what I consider 'time to reconsider', you know, just in case he suddenly develops acne, or I turn lesbian or whatever else may happen in our last teen year. I was armed with an inventory of excuses but eventually I snapped and somebody got an earful of the truth, which they reacted to with surprise (I didn't blame them).
"Hey! He agrees with me!"
"Anything to keep her happy, eh?"
"Oi, pal, don't double-oh-seven me, we agreed to be smart, don't make me marry you right here right now to prove a point"
"You know I would"
...
Do I? Well, I suppose I do, and I'd love to but I just don't think I could hack being somebody's 'wife' yet.
And, anyway, after you get married apparently all you hear is "So when are you having kids?" and, bearing in mind that I see a future of wearing tight, gorgeous clothing ahead of me, that really might make me rethink my sexuality.
