My wife and I were completely taken aback when our daughter, Emily, announced that she was getting married. She was only eighteen years old at the time. No matter what we said, Emily wouldn’t budge on her decision.
My mother-in-law quizzed her, Emily, are you expecting a baby?
Emily shook her head. No, Grandma.
Emilys fiancé was only two years her senior. We sat down with his parents and decided that the wedding would be held at our house. Emily was far from pleased.
Thats so old-fashioned! Lets do something more up-to-date.
Arguments went on for ages. Eventually, we agreed that the wedding reception would be held at a restaurant. Emily picked the most expensive one she could find. Neither we nor the grooms parents were happy about it.
Emily started to cry. You only get married once in your life.
We ended up taking out a loan. The groom’s parents did the same. We bought the diamond ring that Emily had her heart set on. Together with Emily, my wife chose a stunning wedding dress.
We thought we might as well drive to the registry office in our old car, but Emily wasnt having any of it.
Hire a Land Rover!
Her father tried to reason with her, saying it would cost a fortune, but she insisted.
I really want it.
So, we hired a Land Rover for the big day. By the time the wedding arrived, we were thoroughly exhausted. The entire affair cost us a small fortune. Emily and her husband ended up divorcing just six months later.
The truth was, Emily simply didn’t enjoy married life and had a long list of complaints about her husband.
I remembered my own wedding day. I wore a beautiful blouse and skirt, and my husband-to-be waited for me outside the registry office with a bouquet of flowers. We’ve been married for twenty years and have a child together. No extravagant wedding could ever determine a family’s happiness.
Im not at all against weddings, but there has to be a sense of proportion. I can only hope that the next time round, our daughter will take a bit more care with her decisions.
