I dreamt I was the bride in a wedding last night - likely influenced by reading the what women want and what men want threads yesterday, and receiving the (surprising) announcement that a long-time-single friend is getting married.
The weird parts of the dream - which left me feeling somewhat unsettled this morning until I worked through them - were that the groom was my cousin Tom, and my uninvited ex-husband was present, which resulted in my (IRL over-protective) son calmly kicking him out. All of my immediate and extended family was present (even the no longer living ones) along with lots of other folks who were faceless shapes. The minister was represented by an actual minister here in town - one whom I've heard speak and is quite lacking in oratory skills, although he's a very kind man.
Do I even have to tell you that my immediate response to dreaming I was marrying my cousin was - ewww! (Although I do love him dearly - just not THAT way!
) Perhaps that's why I felt so unsettled when I woke up. On further reflection though, I think I was dreaming an affirmation of what I'm looking for.
Cousin Tom was a stand-in for the comfort of deep, genuine, long-lasting, completely accepting love. A fun, friendly, familiar kind of love. There's no pretense and no hidden agenda. (What's left to hide from someone you once played naked in the sprinkler with?!) My family's presence indicates security, warmth, and again - love. These are all people who accept me exactly as I am.
The ex is there as a reminder of what I don't want - fear, pain, sadness, manipulation, dishonesty, repetition of past patterns. And my son in the bouncer role, besides being a mirror of real life, reminds me although I'm generally self-sufficient and independent, it is nice to feel like there's someone looking out for me. Throw in the general wedding symbolism of new beginnings, transitions - which definitely applies to my life right now - and there you have it.
The only part I can't get a handle on is the goofy minister. I have no idea why he was there. I like to think I have much better taste than that!