Marriage

It's a strange thing sometimes.

Got to know a gal whose office was across from mine a few years ago, and then got to know her better when she joined us for gym work-outs. She had a fine and athletic little figure, and often reported frustration that Indian guys were a) out of shape and b) didn't like her attitude. Evidently she was too opinionated for the ones she knew. Well, she never put up with our shit, our angry white man shit, and was popular with us for it.

Sometimes she shared via email pictures of some cultural event she was in -- she looked fantastic. She was included in distribution of the often politically incorrect humor some of the gym rats sent each other.

A year passed, two, sometimes she lifted with us, sometimes just did the aerobic machines, sometimes went missing for weeks at a time, just like anyone. Never when she did come around did her slim and strong little self fail to impress.

And then, all of a sudden, "Hey, I'm getting married!"

Congrats all around. When? "Couple weeks."

She had family all over the place in Northern California, he didn't have much in this country, so they were going to get it over with, as she put it, on the Thanksgiving weekend.

I was walking outside one day and ran into the happy couple. He was thin, well over six feet, glasses, friendly enough but a little wary, not a strong handshake. During our brief conversation they each corrected each other on some minor point, and evinced no trace of personal affection. But they appeared content.

I imagine some kind aunt or uncle advising them they will come to love each other, even like each other, and that so long as they are patient a happy life awaited them.

I hope so. Seems there is no alternative.