We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary last year with a trip to Florida.
This year we enjoyed a nice dinner and a ride in a posh Ferris wheel.
So, if you'll indulge me, I'll "spin" an
over-obvious parallel
between marriage and a Ferris wheel ride.
After paying too much money to ride, anticipation builds as you stand in line watching other riders settle into neon-lit gondolas and spin slowly up, into thick summer-evening air. Anticipation makes waiting almost unbearable, but finally, it's your turn. Someone with a badge mumbles a litany of rules and recommendations. You and your partner rush aboard, fastening safety buckles and latches in all haste.
Revolutions which looked slow and relatively safe from the ground spin by impossibly fast.
The dazzling view and intimate seating arrangement are thrilling, although either may prove uncomfortable over the course of the ride. The free-fall sensation of the downward spin and the unpredictable swing of the car delight, excite, and cause many to cling even more tightly.
Multiply the excitement (or terror) if your partner decides to jostle or even swing the cab during the ride. But, if your companion is the quiet sort, you may be challenged to celebrate simple joys: starry night gazing or a gentle handclasp.
Too soon, it's time to exit the ride. The wheel slows as others leave their gondolas, allowing enough time for a kiss or two before arriving at the bottom for the last time. You exit on the far side of the wheel, unnoticed by glee-filled new riders, eager to begin their circular journey.
"What's next?" your spouse asks and reaches for your hand.
"How about some ice cream to top off the night?" you reply.
