Love Me If You Dare

About five years ago a fellow I have known for more than twenty years announced he was getting married. There was nothing unusual superficially about this announcement, since I receive such things on a regular basis. What made this particular announcement somewhat unorthodox was a certain fact: This particular fellow had never previously demonstrated any indication he desired to marry: There had never been any talk or indication on his part that he wanted to settle down with a woman and have a family. So when he announced his intentions rumors and gossip began to circulate: What was really going on? Who was the woman who had apparently gained his attention within this context? And why now?

Because I respected this fellow I decided to hold my tongue and not contribute to the gossip and rumors circulating. Instead, I sat back and waited for the truth and facts to emerge.

They did. In quick time.

A few months after this fellow married I received an invitation to visit him and his new spouse at their new home. I responded accordingly and prepared to visit them, with the intent of finding out what brought about this particular marriage.

The moment I saw their house I knew.

The house, which sits on a corner lot, is more than 10,000 square feet of living space. On the south elevation there is a three-car garage. On the east elevation, which actually sits on another street level, there is another three-car garage. On the north side of the house there are actually two front doors: One leads to one part of the house--his house, and the other door leads to the other part of the house--her house.

Because I was expected I was quickly invited in and given the full tour of this rather unusual living arrangement: He showed me his part of the house first, then she showed me her part of the house.

That's right: His part of the house. Her part of the house.

After the entire tour was completed I was ushered once more into his part of the house, along a narrow hallway, up a short flight of stairs, and into a comfortable space that actually existed between each part of the house. There I was joined by my host and hostess, who proceeded to explain this rather unique situation: Neither of them had ever thought they would be married. As a result their respective views on Life had certain prejudices. But then they met, one thing led to another, and her father reminded her of their agreement: If she married by a certain age--twenty-two--he would pay for the wedding and reception. But if she waited to marry until she was thirty he would only pay for a house.

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