Taylor the Teacher

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In honor of Clay Burell’s wedding, here is a passage from my all-time favorite book on marriage:

It is no wonder that people love weddings. A wedding is one of the very few occasions when the formation of a true, lasting, and real bond between two human beings may be witnessed. In no other sphere (be it business, politics, or even friendship)  is the forming of a voluntary bond of partnership so real or decisive, so permanent, nor so clear and simple. Marriage is the simplest (and also, despite its bad track record in current statistics, still the most successful and lasting) form of mankind’s dream of an ideal community in this world. A good marriage is the closest thing on earth to the realization of a practical, enduring, and loving coexistence between people. It is a sign, a spiritual and social and political example, of depths of love and patience and forgiveness that are unknown in other areas of life. Every time a wedding takes place, the highest hopes and ideals of the whole community are rekindled. A wedding is the keynote address to the convention of human brotherhood. Not that anything like a perfect society will ever be possible in this world — but still there is an instinctual sense that marriage leads the way, that universal peace can only be conceived of in terms of human beings coming together with something of the same spirit of love, unity, commitment, and self-sacrifice that are seen to operate at the heart of a good marriage. Marriage is the test case, the leading edge, and the sine qua non of love and brotherhood in the world.

                                              ~ Mike Mason, The Mystery of Marriage

Congratulations, Clay. Lead the way for all of us, the way you always do!