Weddings

Weddings invariably invoke thoughts of marriage and singleness.... But, this one over the weekend had several factors that were different from the usual wedding I've attended.

This one was for a member of the "next generation", my cousin's son.  It reminded me of how time flies.   Our extended families got together so rarely that I feel like I don't even know all that much about my relatives; and realized that I need to make a better effort in trying to connect with them.   This is especially so, in light of the need to be able to point them to the Lord.   This wedding was held lakeside in a country club (interestingly, with the address 8888 Los Coyotes in Buena Park).  The person officiating did not offer any prayers, and there was no mention of God at all.  I really felt a sense of the most important part of the wedding missing.   While their vows and stories of how they met were very personal and helped us to get to know them better; yet, it is sad to hear that when tough times come, it is not to God whom they will turn; nor will they have the benefit of their bond being held together by their faith in God.    Also, in the ceremony, there was no live music and not many observations of common wedding traditions (lighting of candles, wedding march music, etc).  They didn't even have a cake at the reception, and they requested no "boxed" gifts!

However, it was interesting that I sat next to a Christian couple.   I saw them saying grace and started a conversation with them.   The wife was a childhood friend of my cousin's wife.

Aside from my cousins and their families, we didn't really know anyone else at the wedding.  However, it was nice to see that my cousins and the sons I talked to have grown up to be very likeable, conversational, and fairly good-looking.

The "speakers" at the reception were all political or Asian association leaders.  I do consider it more special when the speakers are someone like a pastor of the bride or groom or family, for they would be able to offer better advice than just "the wife is always right, and when she is wrong, it's your fault."

At this wedding, I was maybe more content with my singleness than ever before.   It might be because of the secular nature of the wedding, that it did not inspire me to want that; because I really did not sense genuine joy and love.  I can envision conflicts down the road over normal life, family differences, financial challenges, etc; though I hope not and do wish them the best.