theguardian.com
Pragmatic Wedding Deepens Long-Term Relationship
An Australian couple, together since 2003, married in Indonesia in 2022 to access IVF, transforming their initially cynical view of marriage after a heartfelt wedding ceremony.
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United Kingdom
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Ivor
- What prompted the author and her partner to get married in 2022?
- The author, a 2003 art student, began a relationship with a bartender. Initially dismissing him, she later realized his supportive nature allowed her to drop her facade. Their relationship led to a pragmatic marriage in 2022 to access IVF treatment in Indonesia.
- How did their initial cynical view of weddings evolve throughout their relationship?
- Their Indonesian marriage, necessary for IVF access, highlighted the performative nature of weddings they previously viewed cynically. The author's initial view of marriage as a formality shifted after witnessing Ivor's heartfelt wedding gesture—creating a flower mandala—revealing his romantic nature.
- What significant impact did the wedding ceremony have on the author's perception of her long-term relationship?
- The author's perspective on their long-term relationship transformed. The seemingly pragmatic Indonesian wedding became a deeply meaningful experience, emphasizing their ongoing choice to remain together and appreciating the relationship's fragility and value.
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