Thursday, March 12, 2009

What are they thinking?

"Kallie, what color do you think I should choose as the base for our wedding?" I look up dazed and have to remind myself I'm surrounded by my sister and all of her friends while she is trying to plan her no longer existing wedding. "Um, well I'm not sure, whatever you want Shaina." She wasn't very happy with my answer. She knows how I feel about getting married at a young age, and deep down she agrees. She made a decision not many people would even consider after accepting a marriage proposal. Lately, almost all of my friends have gotten married or engaged. I sit and listen as they plan their weddings, picking out colors, flowers, the dress and so many other small details my head starts to spin thinking about it. Every now and then someone will ask my opinion on something I could care less about but I'll give them my opinion anyway. The questions become repetitive, "What color should the bridesmaid dress be, what kind of flower should I choose, should the dinner be big or small?" I always answer with a "I really think it's whatever you want, it is your wedding, not mine." It seems a little mean but like I said i don't really know. Whenever I'm around them, I feel out of place. I'm the only one that thinks getting married right away is insane. Who wants to be married as soon as they finish college? I can't ever really voice my actual opinion because I think it is smarter to be independent for a while after graduation. Listening to the conversations, the time seems to go slower and slower but then I realize I've been listening to them talk for an hour or more.

1 comment:

  1. I can relate to this out-of-placeness, Kallie. I too felt confused and annoyed at other people's enthusiasm for weddings, and what I saw (and continue to see) as an undue (and expensive!) focus on a party instead meaningful attention to the strength or weakness of the relationship. I agree that getting to know ourselves as independent adults is a smart step to take before we get married. The bridal industry (or its Arkansas or NWA face) would make a great topic for a piece of personal reportage.

    I think starting with dialogue was a great choice, and the opening lines of the paragraph create interest. "Her no longer existing wedding"? I want to know more, especially after you tell us that "deep down she agrees."

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