several years ago, when i lived in belmont,
i went to the town clerk's office to get a
family recreation sticker
so we could use the town swimming pool
or the tennis courts, or ice staking rink, etc.

and this terribly prim woman in the office
said that a *family* membership
was *supposed* to be for husband & wife
or parent & child...NOT anything else.

i stood there and forced a smile.
she stood across the desk and continued to
think of england...

time passed.
and being the competitive gal that i am...
i was better at waiting
finally she sighed and said under her breath,
what do i care
and gave me the family card.

fast forward to today
when gina and i went back to the same town clerk's office
to register to be married...
nary a tight smile to be seen.
just a form to fill out.
and instructions to come back in 3 days.

oh little town of belmont mass