I wrote this piece after attending two joyful weddings of women I have known their entire lives. I have learned—with much work—how to hold joy and grief at the same time. I am still a romantic at heart and believe in the power of love in all situations. The Hallmark-card like fantasy of an intact family, and all that society messages me comes with it, did not work out for me. Because current statistics indicate that 50% of marriages in the U.S. (and varying percentages in the rest of the world—some even higher) end in divorce, perhaps this piece will help others in their journeys. Comments welcome, either privately, or in the comment section below. To read the whole piece in the wonderful online magazine, The Midst, go to this link or click on the title of this post: https://themidst.substack.com/p/how-to-celebrate-weddings-when-you
Image of a happy couple kissing at the end of their wedding (courtesy of The Midst online magazine)
Screenshot of image of Maria Leonard Olsen at a wedding from The Midst article
Screenshot of text and quote from The Midst article
Screenshot of Maria Leonard Olsen and her partner of a photo taken at a recent wedding the author and her partner attended in Glen Echo, MD, with caption from The Midst
Screenshot of Maria Leonard Olsen and her famous social media influencer son Chris Olsen taken at a recent wedding they attended in Easton, MD, with caption from The Midst. Follow Chris @Chris on TikTok and @ChrisOlsen on Instagram and YouTube.
Screenshot from The Midst piece, including text re modern wedding vows and quote from Dr. Anita Gadhia-Smith about the need to learn how to love, not just wanting to be loved
Author image and short bio from The Midst, “the gateway drug to the modern midlife experience”
To read the whole piece: https://themidst.substack.com/p/how-to-celebrate-weddings-when-you