Blissful Uxory

Have you been to any weddings recently? Young marrieds live in a world of superlatives and hyperbole. None of the ironies that started with The Graduate are in sight. Where is Mike Nichols? Dead in spirit as well as body. Gen X wedding vows are a little like eulogies in the way they flirt with immortality and the pledge of “undying love." Baby Boomers were liberated from such protestations by the generalized skepticism about institutions. Now the world of make believe is predominating. In an odd way youthful couples are dabbling in the ideal the way their grandparents did, as they basked in the post-war optimism of the 50s.  “Til death you do part!” Life insurance companies employ actuaries, but it might be interesting if cold water rather than confetti were sprayed on couples running for the car with the “just married” sign on the fender. Romantic love is a high bar to set and those who have made it for the long haul may take a deep breath hearing the expensive laundry being aired at some bridal showers. Sex is nice and so is considerateness, but what about  hard truths like familiarity breeding contempt, not to mention human desire which often leads to a state of blissful uxoriousness?

read "The Age of Euphemism" by Francis Levy, HuffPost

and listen to "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" by The Shirelles