Time will tell

My colleague is getting married, probably sometime next month. I should feel happy for him, but wariness is all I feel.

After all, he is only meeting her for the first time next month. She's from China and they have, so far, corresponded only through email. He's determined to wed her though and says that all he wants is to settle down and build a family. That's all he hopes to achieve and I suppose this is his vision of how to attain that dream.

My advice was for him to get to know her slowly and as time helps us to reveal their true selves to each other, to marry only when they are certain they wish to be together inspite of differences that may crop up.

Yes, practical me.

He says that that way does not guarantee happiness either. Which is true, I guess... He says that he was with his ex-wife for two years before they got married and stayed married for six years before finding out that she cheated on him. So there is no sure way to win the game. What does it matter then, how long they know one another? Well... I guess...

Just a year ago, his wife had divorced him. When I came to this office half a year ago, he was still shattered. I find it difficult to accept that he is thinking with a clear mind and this is what he really wants. But who am I to stand in the way of a man driven towards nailing his happiness?

Just a year ago, two other friends of mine got together. And they were just married over the last weekend.

Truth be told, I hardly knew them. They were more acquaintances than friends. I first heard about their plans for marriage before I got to know them better. And I thought, one year isn't enough for you guys to know you want to be committed forever!

But as I got to know them, ever so slightly better, I see a perfect union in the couple. They are like bosom buddies and that, to me, is something that doesn't come along for all couples and should be treasured if encountered.

Gradually, over the year, my perception of this couple changed. Cynical me admitted that maybe some relationships will work where others failed.

They got married last weekend. And I was surprised by just how happy I felt for them... There were tears in my eyes and this feeling of sharp joy banging against my heart.

Happiness always, then!

Maybe time does tell how a person is really like. And time will reveal our innermost selves. But maybe time won't do a thing to make true hearts different. And maybe time is negligible in the face of two people who really want to be together.

I wouldn't know... I guess Time will tell. ;)