For centuries, marriage in the English-speaking world has been regarded as a contract that ended only when one partner was no longer alive. The phrase “until death do us part” was first popularized in the English-speaking world following the first printing of the Book of Common Prayer in England in 1549. The passage from the vows which end in ‘until death do us part’ begins with a commitment to stay together “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health”. The wording of this rite denoting permanent spiritual union is compelling poetry. The Minister, receiving the Woman at her father's or friend's hands, shall cause the Man with his right hand to take the Woman by her right hand, and to say after him as followeth. I Ryan. take thee Stephanie. to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth. Then shall they loose their hands; and the Woman, with her right hand taking the Man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Minister, I Stephanie. take thee Ryan. to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

Many northern peoples celebrate a solstice holiday known as Midsummer Day. It’s an ancient day that many people still enjoy because summer calls for celebration! In mid-June, school is out, and nature has burst into life. It seems like the Sun never sets. In fact, in the north, it doesn’t, and in the south, only for an hour or two. Historically, this day marks the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvest. It is traditionally known as one of four “Quarter Days” in some cultures. Astronomically speaking, summer begins on the solstice. In 2024, the solstice arrives on Thursday, June 20. At this moment, the Sun reaches its highest and northernmost points in the sky, and Earth’s North Pole tilts directly toward the Sun. At some point, Christian church authorities assigned June 24 as the birthday of St. John the Baptist, who foretold the birth of Christ (which would occur 6 months later in the calendar, during the darkest days) and later baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. Celebrations with bonfires, bathing in water, and watching the sunrise were traditional. In this way, the period took on both secular and religious symbolism, giving everyone reasons to celebrate. Catholic Church simply co-opted midsummer festivals, converting them to feast days for St. John the Baptist. With the Gospels stating that John the Baptist was born six months before Jesus Christ, this timing also paved the way for Christmas to be celebrated in mid-December. Consequently, this feast date is observed in countries that have large Christian populations. For ancient pagan Celtic peoples, who inhabited the British Isles, and modern Scandinavians, who experience almost continuous sunlight at this time of year (think “Land of the Midnight Sun”), the summer solstice is a magical time, one of new beginnings celebrated with bonfires and festivals. For many young revelers, midsummer offered romantic potential. Love was in the air, and many traditions focus on finding one’s destined partner. William Shakespeare may have thought of these connotations and rituals when he penned “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”