(redo post due to technical issues)
Mr. Rochester and I plunked down $41 to obtain a piece of paper that says we can marry any day after April 22, 2006 (good for for thirty days).
Defective Yeti has a great idea about marriage: create a Buddy System instead. I completely agree that the reason we have so many debates about “marriage” revolves around the word itself and the different meanings it holds. It is not always just about the State or God or Both. The quicker everyone realizes that we are talking about a different thing with the same privileges and the same word, the better off we will all be.
Also, couples wishing to Buddy would be required to have their ceremony somewhere awesome, like a waterslide park or a Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert or the Seattle Aquarium. And an open bar would be mandated by law.
Mr. R and I are tying the knot before God, family, and friends at a winery. I think that fulfills the “awesome” and alcohol requirements.
–Jane, in sickness, misery, and crazy days (mostly mine)