13 Comments

This line "To me, they must have been there in the beginning with God himself." moved me and made me think of my grandparents and the stories that told me as a kid. Love this essay, Steven!

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Love this one, Steven. Your imagery is beautiful, and I love (as always) how you tie your Spanish roots into your storytelling ability. The connection between language and femininity/masculinity really is quite fascinating. So many of us are quick to bristle about the topic of man vs. woman, but they truly are two halves of the same whole. They compliment one another, confide in one another, and rejoice in one another. Another great piece, friend.

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This is a moving and inspiring story Steven, both at the level of what it communicates about fundamental forces in the cosmos, masculine and feminine, having unique authority and complementary easential value, but also in conveying the potential for a transformation of view where there ia tension or conflict. All three of your minds must have stopped for a moment there in the room when you offered those words. Truth is what happens when the air conditioning goes out.

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Wow. Such a good essay Steven. I love how you combined the story with your childhood with philosophical ideas. Really enjoyed this :)

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I learned so much in so few words, about you, about the newlyweds, and about femininity in Christianity. It all comes together at the end when you suggest that the couple share their last names, combining the masculine and feminine in harmony, placing them shoulder to shoulder. Great work, Steven!

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Wonderful essay, Steven! I love how you were able to honor your own family history, faith, and this lucky new couple in one moving experience.

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Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, Steven. Brought up a lot of memories and thoughts.

Like the fact that my second last name is "González del Castillo", a unique variation on a very common surname, which I've always loved and had to kind of get rid off online for practicality and space constraints (ever since school it wouldn't fit in the lists 😂)

My wife and I often joke about passing our mother's surnames to our kids, but always getting rid of the idea thinking how sad it would be for our fathers. Maybe the solution is 4 last names for our kids? Haha 😉

What you say about feminine and masculine is so true and nuanced, even changing by country, like "el mar" and "la mar", depending on our relationship with, in this case, the sea.

Keep bringing up these topics!

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I'm fascinated by the insight that wisdom is feminine. And I love that your friends went with the joint last names in the end! What a great way to wrap up you ideas of balance of masculine/feminine! Great essay =)

Also, I laughed at this haha: "We sat for only a few silent seconds as I began to pray softly to myself that there would be some divine follow up. Wisdom is a woman… who says that?"

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Fun fact, arquitectura, for Architecture, is of course feminine as well. :)

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This may be one of my favorite posts from you, which is saying a lot with all the lessons I’ve gotten through our many conversations. Beautifully written.

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Awesome post Steven--super profound and full of beauty and truth. Well done!

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Beautiful. I felt this. This week, I’ve been honoring the feminine in recognition of springtime, Mother’s Day, and rebirth.

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Man. Phenomenal piece Steven. You used theology and your heritage to express the tension and interplay of the masculine and feminine - where, with our highest selves, the sum is greater than the parts - beautifully.

Also, "This had elevated the woman's name from online security question to headliner status." made me chuckle

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