The Art of Marriage

As I have repeated often in these pages, I am both an avid reader and a hopeless romantic.  Some of the best news of this year has been the success of the Marriage Equality as it has swept through the nation bringing us a total of 16 states as well as the District of Columbia with Marriage Equality as the law of the land.  With hundreds if not thousands of men and women joining in the ultimate celebration of their romance by repeating their vows in ceremonies nationwide and becoming legally married.  In Saturday's update from CRVBoy, there was a new story by author Tinnean cast with two of the main characters in his series of stories, Wills and Theo.  Set in 1984, the first year that same sex marriage became legal anywhere here in the United States, in the first state to legally recognize those marriages, Massachusetts.  Wills takes Theo on a trip to Cambridge, ostensibly to  join his family to celebrate the first birthday of his youngest brother.  Unbeknownst to Theo, Wills and the family have planned a surprise wedding ceremony for Wills and Theo.  Wills and Theo had 'gotten married' in New York the year before, although that marriage was not recognized legally anywhere.  After surprising Theo with the wedding ceremony and surrounded by family and friends, the two become one by repeating their vows before those gathered there.  Wills went first saying "I, William Gregorio, take you, Teodore Nikolai, to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live."  Theo then recited the same vow to Wills.  As part of the ceremony, the officiant quoted something by an unknown author, 'The Art of Marriage' which artfully defines the meaning of marriage as the joining of two souls in matrimony.  I thought I would share this quote, which really is a very real thing, with you all today:  

"A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage the little things are the big things-It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say 'I love you' at least once each day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right partner-it is being the right partner."

 Now isn't that one of the most romantic things you have ever heard?

This week in the Sounds of the Season, I give you this compilation by  The Classical Music Club of Christmas Songs with a jazz interpretation.  Included in the play list are Santa Claus is Coming To Town (Haven Gillespie, John Frederick Coots) - Silent Night / Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer ( Franz Xaver Gruber, Josef Mohr, Trad. Christmas Carol ) - We Three Kings Of Orient Are ( John Henry Hopkins, Jr. ) The Christmas Song ( Mel Tormé, Bob Wells ) God Rest Ye Swinging Gentlemen ( Traditional ) Stille Nacht (Silent Night) ( Franz Xaver Gruber, Josef Mohr ) Little Drummer Boy ( Katherine K. Davis ) The Christmas Waltz ( Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne ) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel ( Trad. Christmas Carol ) The Light Of Christmas ( Larry Dunlap ) The Christmas Song ( Mel Tormé, Bob Wells ) Gifts For The Children ( Joe Goodwin ) Sleigh Ride ( Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish ) Little Bebop Drummer Boy ( Les DeMerle ) We Three Kings Of Orient Are ( John Henry Hopkins, Jr. )  and  God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / We Three Kings Of Orient Are... ( John Henry Hopkins, Jr. ).  I also thought I would pair these Sounds of the Season with some very sexy Sights of the Season as well and you will find them on display below the play list for your visual appreciation.  Thanks for sharing a part of your Monday with me,  come again soon and bring your friends.  Until the next time as always, Enjoy!