Love & Marriage & Family & Community

One thing that stood out to me in this issue was wedding planner Jason Mitchell Kahn’s message about the importance of love for family and community, even during weddings, which, of course, are primarily focused on the love between two people. 

That love and the relationship between the couple being wed are the main event, and rightfully so. However, the wedding is also a celebration of all the people who have been there for them throughout that journey. 

Family and friends have helped shape the lives of each new spouse that the other fell in love with, and supported each partner both before and during the relationship that they’re all gathered to celebrate. They’re part of the story, too, and should be celebrated (and considered in planning, as Kahn points out) accordingly. 

Kahn calls out not just family, though, but community as well. In a world where we are increasingly isolated and divided from one another, whether by disease, technology or ideology, I think love of community deserves all the praise it can get. 

One source of community bonds that we feature in this issue is “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a nationwide tour including a Halloween (!!) stop at the Orpheum. 

I won’t spoil Terrance Griep’s excellent article on the anniversary tour and the impact of the film by including all the details here, but I will share what it meant to me to read it. 

I did not grow up with “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (which may be evident by my continued use of its full title rather than whatever shorthand version fans use). Despite that, I’ve still come to understand how much it has impacted people and, particularly relevant here, brought them together. To get an inside look at not only the film itself but also exactly why and how it has impacted people was incredibly rewarding.

All that to say, no matter how you came to love the people you love — whether through a romantic relationship, family connection, long-term friendship or common interest — it’s all worth celebrating.