Almost Official.
Todd and I went to get our marriage license today at lunch. First, we all know the typical government agency experience -- people aren't always the friendliest, it takes forever, yada yada yada. It wasn't that way at all. The lady who helped us was extremely friendly and so excited for us. When she made us raise our right hands to vow that all the information we'd provided her was correct, she actually made Todd vow some things like taking the trash out, etc. She was wonderful.
What was so upsetting about the trip, though, was what we saw around us. The other couples there for marriage licenses... You can't help but overhear (especially when you're trying to eavesdrop) all of the details of their situations.
Couple #1. When the female was asked if she was still married to her ex-husband she said no. Then she asked the clerk, "What if I were? What would we need to do?" The clerk replied that if she were, in fact, still married, then her husband of record would need to appear with them to give his permission for her to be married. Then the clerk asked the routine question of the husband to be: "Do you have any outstanding child support obligations?" He answered that he didn't on the form, but she had to verbally ask to clarify. When verbally asked, he said, "Well...yes. But I'll get the check in. I'll mail a check tomorrow."
Couple #2. There's not much more to say about this couple except for the fact that he was 29 and she was 17 and had to have her mother present because she was under age. I'm sure in some cultures this is normal. Hell, it's even normal in our culture. But they both looked so unhappy to be there, she looked scared to death. I just felt really sorry for her.
Couple #3. This was the couple I liked. They brought in cameras and asked if they could photograph every step in the process. Of course Todd and I both got our phones out and started taking some pictures of each other, just embarassed that we hadn't thought to bring in our own cameras.
So the paperwork is done. We could, legally, marry in 72 hours. I think we'll wait until the 13th. Which is about nine days away. Nine days.
What was so upsetting about the trip, though, was what we saw around us. The other couples there for marriage licenses... You can't help but overhear (especially when you're trying to eavesdrop) all of the details of their situations.
Couple #1. When the female was asked if she was still married to her ex-husband she said no. Then she asked the clerk, "What if I were? What would we need to do?" The clerk replied that if she were, in fact, still married, then her husband of record would need to appear with them to give his permission for her to be married. Then the clerk asked the routine question of the husband to be: "Do you have any outstanding child support obligations?" He answered that he didn't on the form, but she had to verbally ask to clarify. When verbally asked, he said, "Well...yes. But I'll get the check in. I'll mail a check tomorrow."
Couple #2. There's not much more to say about this couple except for the fact that he was 29 and she was 17 and had to have her mother present because she was under age. I'm sure in some cultures this is normal. Hell, it's even normal in our culture. But they both looked so unhappy to be there, she looked scared to death. I just felt really sorry for her.
Couple #3. This was the couple I liked. They brought in cameras and asked if they could photograph every step in the process. Of course Todd and I both got our phones out and started taking some pictures of each other, just embarassed that we hadn't thought to bring in our own cameras.
So the paperwork is done. We could, legally, marry in 72 hours. I think we'll wait until the 13th. Which is about nine days away. Nine days.
posted by Lauri at 10:26 AM
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