Of Brides, Marriages, and Babies
Just throw me a kiss!
Dear Rachel,
At the risk of sounding vain and coming across self-absorbed, I’d like to address my close friends through your column, if I may…
We’ve shared laughter and many good times together and hugged and kissed on many occasions.
As I prepare for my big day, I am trying on gowns, wigs and tiaras, going for wardrobe fittings, and sitting for professional make-up tryouts. After all, which kallah does not want to look her very best at the event of her lifetime – her wedding?
I can’t count how many times I’ve seen girls hugging a kallah to within an inch of her life (it literally gets hard to breathe) without any regard to the fact that the kallah’s veil is being crushed and sometimes nearly ripped from her head.
I realize you are emotionally overwhelmed… but really, you’ve already expressed your feelings, remember? Back when you came to the le’chaim and my vort. As they say, been there and done that. Believe me, I know you’re happy for me, but trust me when I say it’s really OK not to get all mushy on me.
That is not to say that I don’t appreciate our friendship. Honestly, I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for loyal and understanding friends like you.
Please understand that this is my day to shine, my time to be a malka, a queen. As it is, I’ll be keeping my own emotions in check. But you can bet I’ll work hard on remaining poised and regal throughout.
If you’ve been in my shoes, I know you get the picture. If you haven’t, please forgive my vanity this one time and know that I’ll be praying for your day to shine to arrive very soon.
Your friend, the Kallah
Discontent no more…
Dear Rachel,
I waited years to be married and would have resigned myself to being an old maid if it wasn’t for my optimism, my emunah and my good friends who kept me afloat.
At long last, we met. Though we knew we loved one another’s company and were able to carry on endless telephone chats, we wanted to be sure. At our age (close to forty) we learn to tread warily.
Finally he surprised me by taking me to buy an engagement ring. (He knew enough to let me choose my own.)
Our wedding went off like a dream. We were delirious with joy. And then real life set in. Our small, starter apartment didn’t seem big enough for the two of us. He took forever showering and left the bathroom all steamed up for me. His clothes were all over the place and strands of his hair cluttered the sink drain. Making himself coffee meant sticky countertops and the milk container left sitting out on the kitchen table.
If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’ve always prided myself on being neat and am a firm believer in everything in its place. So by the time we’d retire for the night, I’d be exhausted from sheer aggravation, let alone picking up after him.
Then one day I had an eye-opening visit with a close friend. It didn’t take long for me to confide in her and for her to set me straight. She made me see that I was suffocating my husband with my petty demands and could just as easily be showing him lovingly and patiently how to please me. And if he didn’t hear me saying, “Honey, do you know what purpose the bathroom fan serves?” – I could always turn it on myself.