The subject of getting married came up in a recent conversation with a certain five-year-old who--for the purposes of this post--will remain nameless.
"I might get married when I grow up," she said.
"Really? That's a possibility," I said, "but you don't have to, you know. Maybe you'll decide you don't want to marry."
"Oh, I know. But if I do get married, I'm going to marry either Jordan (age six) or Amelia (age eight)."
Thirty years ago, I would have reacted differently. With alarm, probably. I would have immediately begun a treatise on how you can't marry someone of the same sex. Instead, in 2011, I felt proud and hopeful. Proud that she could imagine such freedom, and proud that I would have no problem if she were to choose Amelia over Jordan. Hopeful that the choice would truly be hers by the time she's ready for such a decision.
"I might get married when I grow up," she said.
"Really? That's a possibility," I said, "but you don't have to, you know. Maybe you'll decide you don't want to marry."
"Oh, I know. But if I do get married, I'm going to marry either Jordan (age six) or Amelia (age eight)."
Thirty years ago, I would have reacted differently. With alarm, probably. I would have immediately begun a treatise on how you can't marry someone of the same sex. Instead, in 2011, I felt proud and hopeful. Proud that she could imagine such freedom, and proud that I would have no problem if she were to choose Amelia over Jordan. Hopeful that the choice would truly be hers by the time she's ready for such a decision.
1 comment:
That is the most lovely and wonderful thing I have heard in a long, long time. Bless you. And bless the loving wonderful parents who have raised her to form such perfect ideals. -- Jan
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