Last Saturday, some dear friends got married! (And I was privileged to officiate for the ceremony, which Molly & Fred put together quite beautifully.) It got me thinking about marriage in America.

In the USA (unlike in many cultures/nations), marriage is not mandatory, or arranged with little regard to the feelings of the bride & groom. For the most part, Americans get married because they want to, and because they believe in the commitment they have with their spouse. While those who choose not to get married may occasionally be wondered about, there’s no real derogatory view taken of them.

Being able to be unmarried without ostracism or disapproval from society means, in my opinion, that marriage can be more valued and appreciated than in cultures where marriage is de rigeur. Not that it always is, but I do think it often is, when people stop to think about it. And isn’t that the way it should be?