photo from k. benbenek archive, circa 1967On this Valentine's Day Eve, let's remember that it's not all roses and candy for people, folks. Sometimes it's better to be alone and not get a Valentine than to be in a crap relationship. Sure, you're home with your cat, but it could be a lot, lot worse. Imagine if you had no cat? Imagine that.
Or, you could be in an really unhappy marriage so you have to divorce. Or, let's say the marriage is happy, until one of you turns into a drunk and spends all your money on lotto tickets and really starts making things unpleasant. Or your marriage is happy, and you have kids, but they turn into drunks, and when you die (or before you die) all your stuff ends up in the dumpster or at a yard sale?
My point: How else can one explain how this couple's wedding album ended up at a swap meet?
These pictures are hard for even a black-hearted jerk like myself to poke fun at because they are very sweet and yet at the same time, very sad. Sure, the groom is portly and has a unibrow, but he's just a kid. And are those wistful expressions on the bride's face? Is she resigned, or is she seriously bummed? Is she bummed because she's pregnant and had to marry or because her wedding bouquet is made of white carnations? Despite the strange vibe I got from some of the photos, there does seem to be a lot of love in the album. In some photos, the bride appears happy to be with the groom and he happy to be with her, and it feels real to me, at least. The bride's parents adore her. They are happy for her on her wedding day. Where is this simple Catholic Church? What happened to this young couple?
Happy Valentine's Day Eve, kids. May you keep your junk in perspective and out of a dumpster (unless you're the one who put it there).
5 comments:
You are pure evil, Altman. Will you marry me???
I agree that these photos are sad. Their origin or why they ended up in a swap meet is mystery that will probably never be solved. I hope that the album was just lost somehow and that they are still together, madly in love, raising their 13 kids.
Wanna feel great about being single? Wanna feel better about your relationship, if you're in one? Read the Craigslist personal ads. Schadenfreude works!
I'll skip the swap meet. My wedding album goes to the highest bidder right now - it's 1981, is that vintage? O.K., not really, but I have no idea why I still have it around. Do you think the kids feel good about looking at it? Probably not.
keep it for the kids. let them pitch it if they want.
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