Poseidon and I went to get our marriage license yesterday morning in downtown Durham at the office of the Register of Deeds. It was a hot (wait, who am I kidding? It wasn't just hot, it was torrid, hell-like scorching hot), early, and I was fearing there would be a line out the door, with unbearable waiting for hours behind a rope, waiting our turn to be called like cows to the slaughter (sorry for using such distressing imagery there) to the next available marriage-license-issuer.
Fortunately, my fears were unfounded and the entire process of obtaining our marriage license proved to be swift without complications. Only one other couple was applying for a marriage license. They spoke very little English and I was trying to follow along (I should have paid more attention in my 3 years of Spanish classes in high school, but I didn't) as the license issuer was asking about their place of birth and mother's maiden name...I guess they forgot to put that down on the license application. Anyway, we simply filled out a short form, showed our drivers license and Social Security cards, paid $60.00 in cash and took a marriage oath.
The marriage oath was a curious thing. We had to raise our right hands and read aloud (together) words on a card. The oath we recited centered around our making full disclosure of being legally able and willing to marry. She asked if we wanted to swear or put our hands on the Bible. We opted to swear. I'm sure this oath held much more importance originally, but it seemed a bit silly to me while we were reciting the words. Maybe because I was reading much faster than Poseidon so he stepped up his pace at the same time I tried to slow down, which made us both stumble over our words and caused me to giggle.
So, all-in-all, it was a pleasant experience and we now have a license to wed. I wonder if they ever gave psychological exams to folks before allowing them to apply for a marriage license? Thankfully, it is not required now. I think I recall my mother telling me that she and my dad had to take a blood test before they could apply for a license, but that was in 1968. Times were much different then and I suppose officials wanted to make sure humans were marrying humans and there were no aliens involved. Hmmm, it's a good thing I didn't have to take a blood test.
--Fortuitous "E.T." Observer
