Thoughts on Marriage
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Jon and I at the Viennese Ball -- he let me convince him that we should learn to waltz, which I think demonstrates how much he loves me. Now if only my dress straps had been a little more secure.... but that's another story.
This American Life
This American Life is is a terrific series of radio documentaries produced out of Chicago for NPR. The shows below look at love or marriage or relationships or all three, and I highly recommend each and every of them. You'll need a RealPlayer to listen - download it now, it's free.
Crush
Stories of love in its earliest stages. Especially good are the prolouge, where a high school girl explains why a crush is better than a boyfriend, and Act Three, On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One April morning. I know exactly what that high school girl is talking about, I had a terrific crush for years on this guy named Jason (starting in the 7th grade), and it was great. I guess it's much easier to have a relationship with someone if their participation is purely fictional.
Valentine's Day '99
Stories of impossible love, including a woman who marries a convicted murderer while he's still in prison, and a story about a man from Amsterdam and a woman from Cuba whose governments won't allow them to be together.
Last Words
(Act One: Actions Speak Louder)
The story of a couple who was married for over 50 years and died within a day of each other. It's the kind of beautiful story that makes you cry.
Roadtrip!
(Act Two: Merci)
A couple tells the story of how their marriage was saved by a mishap-riddled trip to Europe. They tell the story together, and it's really fun how the narrative passes back and forth between them.
Niagra
The relevant bit is somewhere in the middle, and has to do with Niagra's many wedding chapels. We listen in on two very different but equally speedy weddings.
Monogamy
This is really interesting, and it's not something that is frequently examined in much detail, probably because it tends to make people uncomfortable. I especially like Act One, which is the story of a crush that spirals out of control and almost destroys a marriage, even though I had a hard time feeling much sympathy for the woman who has the crush.
Valentine's Day '98
What can I say? Every single act is brilliant, and every one made me cry. Act One is a letter from a man to his wife, whom he's been married to for decades, speaking about how their feelings for each other have changed as they're grown older. Act Two is a story about the difference between a crush and love, starting from a chance encounter in a yogurt store. And Act Three is the writing of a poet about the illness and death of his wife. They're all very moving in very different ways.
Stuck in the Wrong Decade
(Act One - The Wedding Game)
This is a fun story about a couple who work in TV and love 70's TV shows, and so decided to structure their wedding like a 70's TV game show. This injects an element of suspense not usually found in wedding ceremonies since if they are unable to answer enough questions correctly, the game show host/judge won't marry them.
Conventions
(Act Three - When Worlds Collide)
I don't want to tell you anything about this, except that it's a love story and that you should go listen to it. You'll understand when you hear it.
One Thing
(Act One - Life Without Leanne)
A silly piece about guy who can't forget his ex-girlfriend, Leanne. Very funny. I saw Adam Sandler do this same sketch on Saturday Night Live (the Leanne character was played by Shannon Dougherty), and it wasn't nearly as good.
Get Over It!
(Prolouge and Act 1 - Offloading Mrs. Schwartz)
Fascinating and sad story of a man who is trying desperately to move on with his life after his wife is killed, and is finally able to do so in an unusual and drastic way.
Breakup Girl!
Update: Sadly, the Breakup Girl site has been abandoned. Lynn Harris does have two books available if you feel you need some Breakup Girl in your life, Breakup Girl to the Rescue and He Love Me, He Loves Me Not.
Ok, so at first glance it may seem that a superhero named Breakup Girl doesn't belong on a page inspired by a wedding. However, this is definately the best, funniest, most intelligent advice column that I've ever seen. Breakup Girl was born after a woman named Lynn Harris was dumped by another superhero, Unreliable Man. The force of the breakup gave her superpowers, and she made it her mission to help others get through breakups and build healthy, happy relationships.
Bride, Groom & Microphone
Listen to recording of five wedding ceremonies, the oldest from 1947. It was produced by Lost and Found Sound, which is another cool show on NPR (I guess you know what I listen to now, huh?). As the title implies, they collect recorded sounds of all kinds and create shows around them.
Whither marriage?
A collection of articles and personal statements about marriage from the online magazine salon.com.
Me Tarzan, you bride
A guy bases his vows on "Me Tarzan, you Jane." Trust me, they're charming.
Postnuptial blues
Some thoughts about post-wedding-planning letdown from a woman who's been there.
Wedding Bell Blues
A few poems on marriage and love by Deborah Garrison.