One more 'out'

A nice tropical elopement like the one we just returned from, if you believe the NYT, is actually the old fashioned way to get married: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/26/opinion/26coontz.html?ex=1353819600&en=edea6bb06d38c5fc&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
Did you hear that?

Given our new world order however, there is that legality part to be taken care of in order for the state to know to whom to dish out all those generous benefits (?) in the case of an untimely death of either one of us.

If you are from Florida this quest for legality has been made compatible with the 21st century marriage doer and is quite easy to manage. Incidentally if you are not from Florida this is even easier. Undoubtedly a scheme to increase tourism in those under 75 years of age. In the latter case you show up at the courthouse armed with 80 bucks and proof that you are in fact old enough to know what you are getting yourselves into. Bring the spouse-to-be and off you go, all stamped and legal. However, if you are lucky enough to have a sunshine state driver's license you will be granted one more "out" in the shape and form of a three day delay until your union becomes legal, at which point you must return to an authorized representative of the legality contingency who can be a Priest, Rabbi, chartered accountant or legal secretary.

The three days waiting period is their way of giving you time to sober up. I am not savvy in Florida stats so I am not sure why Floridians needs special protection, but they get it. In any case, when we do make it back to Miami in a few months we don't have time to spare for return visit to those legalizers as we need to be swimming in oceans, eating Cuban food and focusing on not being sober.

But we did not despair and found someone to certify that we have in fact worried about all the implications of being stuck together way before we will show up at that courthouse, thus qualifying for that immediate stamp of approval. The following procedure is apparently known to ensure that you will be as ready as can be come the big day:

Open google and find yourself an online spiritual leader (I personally especially appreciate the fact that there are Disneyland approved ones) who makes you think about a nice chunk of questions everyone should have asked themselves way before letting their relationship get to this stage. So, well done there. In the spirit of our times, our Reverent makes the religious questions optional, dwells on how to handle each other's family as well as communications techniques and dishes out a stern reminder that a wedding is only to last one day and a marriage a lifetime (now mind you, our wedding appears to be lasting a lifetime too but that is a different issue) and if that was not easy enough, you will be informed that watching a movie with Michelle Pfeiffer counts as having completed the assignment. You then convince your spiritual leader of choice that you have spent at least 4 hours contemplating the above mentioned issues. This get you a 'marriage course certificate of completion'.

The best part is that once we paid your 20 bucks to the good minister, not only did we get the ok to be married asap, but beyond that, we are also promised a discount at the courthouse!



I love Florida.