The entertainers on board sent us an invitation to a surprise event. Based on an off-hand remark by one of the guides, I had an inkling as to what was up. I was guessing that they were going to ask us to renew our wedding vows. I remembered that they had asked us if we had anything to celebrate while onboard and I stupidly answered that this was our 30th anniversary trip. I pressed people on the ship as to what was going on and they would not say. To be clear, I was pretty agitated. I know some folks really like this ritual, but I am not really into this idea. If I meant it the first time, and I have been at it for decades, do I really need to renew them? It is just smarmy Hallmark stuff to me.
Despite my misgivings, we showed up to the room at the specified time as did ten other couples. Sure enough, the young folks in charge of entertainment explained that they were so in awe of the longevity of the marriages of those in the room, they wanted to celebrate it. They sang us Polynesian love songs and asked each couple to explain how long they had been married and what it was like. The length of time varied from 30 years (us) to over 50 years. That couple won the prize, which was cutting the “wedding cake.” The vow renewal came in the form of exchanging shell necklaces that they had provided to us. And that was really it. Just putting on a shell necklace. No recitals or vows. So that wasn’t so bad, I guess. Then we sat for photos. Make of it what you will.
A Yank Among the Kiwis 