What Is A Honeymoon?

"Originally "honeymoon" simply described the period just after the wedding when things are at their sweetest;..." [Source]

"The Merriam-Webster dictionary reports the etymology as from 'the idea that the first month of marriage is the sweetest' (1546)." [Source]

"It is a time when a newlywed couple can escape for a few days and simply enjoy each other's company before settling down as a couple." [Source]

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I believe in immediate (if not almost immediate) honeymoons. That means jet-setting off into the sunset and journeying toward your coveted time-off together as soon as you possibly can after the wedding ceremony / dinner / day is over and done with. A day after, 2 days, 3 days, or a week or two after. Max.

Why?

Well, think about it. If you aren't going on that romantic getaway while you're still feeling over the moon with your newly married honey, it can't exactly be called a "honeymoon." Right? Any time after and it's just another "holiday." It doesn't even carry enough significance to borrow the term "honeymoon."


To me, a honeymoon is a necessary time of quiet reflection after the grand hype of the wedding. It is a time when the glitz and the glamour fades, and the cheers and the yam sengs die down... only to make way for the eternal gratefulness of being blessed with this season of celebration in life, and deep thankfulness for having found the perfect 1 for you, out of the 6.92 billion people out there.


The honeymoon is a time when the newly-weds go away together to catch their breath after the wedding, and to spend some quality time. Alone. Just the two of them. To focus on no one else but the two of them. It is a time for them to discover one another on a different. And a time for them to enjoy each other's company and presence before the newly-wed glow dims, and most definitely before the humdrum of everyday life quells the climax of overwhelming love and emotion you feel for this one person you can finally call your own.


The honeymoon is also a time for the two to learn about what being with this one person for the rest of their lives will be like. A time to learn to adjust to one another's quirks, preferences and habits. And to learn about what marriage can really be like, minus the white gown, pretty flowers and classical music playing in the background.

To put it simply, the honeymoon is a time

when the marriage is real... before it begins

feeling like just another everyday reality.

Because... honestly, how often do couples rediscover that special time again months or even a year after the excitement of the wedding is over? Hardly ever and almost never. Cos let's be real. Once the holiday ends, the work starts, and the everyday responsibilities of everyday life come back into the picture, there goes the flames of passion and romance. Sad but true.


So, yes. I believe in immediate (if not almost immediate) honeymoons. Or I know I'll always look back in regret and wish I had taken that extra time off after the wedding to really savour and appreciate that first step I took into marriage life with my soul mate. That's why I'm glad (over the moon, really) that The Fiancé and I will be leaving for our HONEYMOON the Monday after our wedding!! =D