Wedding War Cry
This past weekend, I experienced my first Korean wedding. I didn’t want to go because I was extremely sore from the “mandatory fun” called Avalon Sports Day (all the teachers had to participate in the oddest sporting event ever at my school). However, I’m glad I got the chance to see this.
One of my Korean coworkers got married on Saturday. The most interesting part of the ceremony, mostly because I couldn’t understand a word that anyone said other than a song that was sung in English, was the Korean version of “I do.”
Generally, the preacher says, “Will you take this man/woman to be your husband/wife.” Then, the groom or bride says, “I will” or “I do” or “Yes” or some variation of those in a normal tone of voice. The groom in this wedding shouted—literally shouted—his vow to his bride.
I may not have understood the words, but I understood their power. He was telling the world that he was ready to go into this and not look back. I had goosebumps. Never in my life have I seen or heard someone so ready to step into the commitment that is marriage. And I’ve been to a lot of weddings.
That’s why I call it the “Wedding War Cry.” Men are always pumped up, with “clear eyes and full hearts” (Friday Night Lights), when they step onto the battlefield.
Maybe that’s what we should change about marriage in America. The bride and groom should shout “I do” when in front of the altar. They should shout it in front of their friends and family. They should shout it to their God or gods or metaphysical force. They should go into it like they are ready to fight as long as it takes.
Otherwise, what’s the point?
When I get married If I get married, I want to shout “I do.” I want let my wife know that I’m in for the long haul. Tell the world that this is the person I belong to and she belongs to me. Nothing can brake our bond.
Marriage is a battle, right? Maybe we should go into it as if running into a front line of 1,000 bayonet-armed men.
WOW! How awesome that you got to witness a Korean wedding. Funny how men and women are so different. A man sees it as a, The Wedding War Cry. Where a woman might see it as a , The Wedding Proclamation. :o) They both mean the same thing, but men are ready to go fight for their beloved and women are ready to stand by and shout encouragement. Either way, marriage is something that should not be taken lightly. It’s a step in the right direction when you say you’ll be in it for the long haul. Commitment is the key.
It was a great experience. Lots of great food too. Marriage, to me, has started becoming more and more like a big joke or something. It was nice to see people who look like they might go all the way. You don’t have people in the back saying, “I wonder how long they’ll last, a year, maybe two.”
Hahaha! Why do men always bring things back to sports or war? I like your attitude though. marriage is a battle and you need to work together to hold your fort.
It wasn’t my intention to relate sports or war to marriage. It just happened to have that feel to it when the groom shouted.
I do think it’s something men can relate to though. When you step onto a battle or playing field, your whole heart is set on overcoming any obstacles. I think we should definitely bring this type of attitude into marriage.